# 18QS WUR Ranking By Subject
27Undergrad & Postgrad Programmes
51 % International students
About School of Visual Arts (SVA)
School of Visual Arts, located in the heart of New York City, has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for over seven decades. With a faculty of more than 1,100 distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprised of nearly 4,000 degree-seeking students at its Manhattan campus and 43,000+ alumni in 100+ countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world.
Start here with SVA: take a virtual tour, get more information or see how to apply.
Check us out on TikTok and YouTube.
About School of Visual Arts (SVA)
School of Visual Arts, located in the heart of New York City, has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for over seven decades. With a faculty of more than 1,100 distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprised of nearly 4,000 degree-seeking students at its Manhattan campus and 43,000+ alumni in 100+ countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world.
Start here with SVA: take a virtual tour, get more information or see how to apply.
Check us out on TikTok and YouTube.
Available programmes
University information
Undergraduate Admissions:
SVA reviews applicants for admission on a rolling basis and for as long as space is available in our programs. Priority is given to applications submitted by the below postmark deadlines:
Fall Admission
· December 1 - Early Action Deadline (non-binding early admission for first-time freshmen)
· February 1 - First-time Freshmen Deadline for Scholarship Consideration
· March 1 - Transfer Applicant Deadline for Scholarship Consideration
Spring Admission
· October 1 - Deadline for International Applicants
· November 1 - Deadline for Freshmen and Transfer Scholarship Consideration
Please visit sva.edu/howtoapply for details regarding our admissions requirements including the following:
1. Application
2. Application Fee
3. Statement of Intent
4. Portfolio
5. High School/College Transcripts
6. Demonstration of English Proficiency (if English is not your primary language)
Graduate Admissions:
Each graduate program has its own application requirements. You can find application requirements for all programs here.
Bachelor
Master
Student life
The Student Engagement and Leadership Office provides a diverse range of programming designed to enrich the SVA student's experience. Students are offered the opportunity to tap into a multitude of social, cultural, educational and recreational activities. Students are encouraged to take advantage of all New York City has to offer.
The Visual Arts Student Association (VASA), the student government, represents the students' point of view at SVA. Participating in VASA gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills by coordinating events and activities. VASA funds and supports a number of clubs and activities that are organized by students.
Tuition fees
2024-2025 Undergraduate Tuition:
Full-time Tuition: $25,700 per semester (full-time registration is considered 12-15 credits; 12-16 for Visual & Critical Studies).
For Graduate program tuition, please visit this page.
Merit Scholarships:
Our merit-based scholarship is awarded on the strength of the applicant's portfolio and academic performance. There is no separate application form for this award. To be automatically considered for this scholarship, an applicant must possess a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit all application materials, including their portfolio, by the corresponding deadline.
The scholarship consideration deadline for fall entry is February 1 for first-time freshmen applicants and March 1 for transfer applicants. The scholarship consideration deadline for spring entry is November 1.
Scholarship appeal opportunities are available by contacting an Admissions Counselor. For additional details, please see the scholarship information on our website.
Financial Aid:
All applicants interested in need-based financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA may be completed online at studentaid.gov. For more information on financial aid, please visit our financial aid web page here.
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
Employability
SVA Career Development supports students and alumni in building their professional networks while providing them with the information and resources they need to prosper as creative professionals. In addition to offering educational workshops and career counseling, the office facilitates industry networking opportunities that directly connect students with professionals. Recruiters from top creative companies visit campus (in person or virtually) to meet with students, review portfolios and promote their employment opportunities.
Career Development also manages the College’s Internship-for-Credit Program , allowing qualified juniors, seniors and graduate students to earn credit while gaining hands-on experience working with creative professionals. You may also find information on Career Development’s Resources , Employer Services and Fulbright at SVA on their respective pages.
The School of Visual Arts uses College Central Network as its official résumé and job posting service. It gives students and alumni access to thousands of new job listings each year by reputable creative companies who seek SVA talent.
Rankings & Ratings
School of Visual Arts (SVA) is one of the top Private for Profit universities in New York City, United States. It is ranked #18 in QS WUR Ranking By Subject 2026.
QS WUR Ranking By Subject
- 2020#28
- 2021#32
- 2022#25
- 2023#21
- 2024#20
- 2025#25
- 2026#18
QS WUR Ranking By Subject
- 2020#28
- 2021#32
- 2022#25
- 2023#21
- 2024#20
- 2025#25
- 2026#18
Campus locations
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Demonstration of English Proficiency is required for all applicants whose primary language is not English.
The following are acceptable ways to demonstrate English proficiency for our BFA programs:
A minimum score* of 80 on the iBT or Special Home Edition TOEFL, or an 8.5 or higher on the TOEFL Essentials Test.
A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS.
A minimum score of 53 on the Pearson PTE Academic.
A minimum score of 115 on the Duolingo English Test is required for consideration to our BFA Programs.
Test results must be sent to SVA from the testing agency.
Applicants who meet the academic and creative requirements for admission to SVA and have a good grasp of English, but do not yet meet the English proficiency requirements for undergraduate study may qualify for the English and Visual Arts Program (EVA).
You are welcome to contact an Admissions Counselor if you have further questions regarding this requirement. The counselors' contact information and designated majors can be found here.
SVA is an urban campus with 16 buildings across Manhattan. If you are interested in registering for a campus tour you can go to sva.edu/visit to see our schedule and reserve a spot. You can also take our virtual tour here .
Yes, below is the list of STEM OPT extension-eligible majors at SVA.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation
Bachelor of Fine Arts in 3D Animation and Visual Effects
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design
Master of Fine Arts in Computer Arts
Master of Fine Arts in Design
Master of Fine Arts in Design for Social Innovation
Master of Fine Arts in Interaction Design
Master of Fine Arts in Products of Design
You can learn more about STEM majors on our International Student Page by scrolling down to the Resources at the bottom of the page and clicking on "STEM Majors at SVA."
SVA's Office of Residence Life is committed to providing comfortable, welcoming, and safe housing options for all students.
We offer students several housing options to fit all living preferences and budgets. Ludlow Residence is a traditional-style residence hall that offers single and double-room options. The 23rd Street and 24th Street Residences offer students apartment-style living.
Housing room rates are based on room size and type. Details are available here.
We offer Gender-Inclusive housing (GIH) as one of our multiple options for students who would like to live on campus. GIH allows two or more students to share a multiple-occupancy room, suite, or apartment regardless of the students′ sex or gender. GIH furthers the College’s non-discrimination policy and provides housing options for students who may identify as transgender, are more comfortable living with another sex or gender, or do not wish to prescribe to gender classifications.
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