Paying for Private Art School? Insight?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

Hello Everyone!

I’m graduating from my community college this spring. I’m in the process of deciding where I will transfer, unfortunately I don’t have input from my mother. I have had her support financially throughout my years in community college, but that will change moving forward. I have applied to a variety of Virginia universities with Graphic Design Programs (VCUArts,JMU,GMU,VT) alongside MICA, SVA, & Pratt. I have been accepted to SVA as a sophmore and await the remaining responses. Ultimately I aspire to attend a reputable program, but I have my own financial concerns in regards to attending any of the Private Art Schools. Ideally VCUArts fits the bill, but I’m preparing for a scenario where I don’t get admitted. I would have to take out a loan of well over 100k in any private art school, with SVA trending towards 175k over three years. My question is whether this is practical? If this is the situation that most of you are in? As I mentioned before, I lack any sort of guidance on this topic, but I would like insight of people who are currently going through this or are preparing to do so. Thank you very much and I apologize if this has been asked before.

2

We are Virginia residents so I’m very familiar with the schools you mentioned. My son, who is a high school senior, will be going to VCUArts for graphic design. We feel fortunate that he was admitted given the lower cost of in-state tuition.

I have an older son who attends GMU as a business major. However, during our college tours for him, we always visited the Art departments for the younger one. As much as we loved Virginia Tech, we were not at all impressed with their Art department. It’s clearly not a priority for them. At GMU, they have a very solid Graphic Design program, with many opportunities in the NOVA/DC area. It’s definitely worth a look. We never toured JMU so I can’t tell you anything about them.

I don’t think getting into huge debt is worth it no matter what. Definitely check out GMU and JMU (since I have no feedback to offer on that school). But of course, VCU should be priority one.

Good luck!

3

congrats…