Tuition + 4 Year Promise

Invest in Your Future.

AAC is the first and only private art college in the country, and one of the few higher education institutions in the state of Ohio, to implement the Four Year Tuition Promise!

Quick Links

Let’s get you the tuition info you need as fast as possible!

Four Year Tuition Promise.

The majority of colleges increase their tuition every year for their enrolled students.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is the first and only private art college in the country, and one of the few higher education institutions in the state of Ohio, to implement the Four Year Tuition Promise!

More Tuition Promise Info

College is one of the most important financial investments students and families will make in their lifetime. We want to help make that financial commitment a little easier, by making a commitment of our own.

For all incoming and currently enrolled undergraduate students at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, tuition will not be raised over four academic years.

By freezing tuition, families will be able to plan ahead on their investment, knowing exactly what the fiscal outcome will look like over a four-year span. The renewable entrance scholarships that students receive upon acceptance, will have the same financial impact throughout their college careers at AAC.

We want to instill a sense of transparency in the college process, and grant families and students the stability they deserve while they work towards becoming the future creatives of tomorrow.

Tuition Promise FAQ's:

Who qualifies for the Four-Year Tuition Promise?

All undergraduate students entering the Art Academy of Cincinnati as a first-time student, including transfer students, will receive the Four-Year Tuition Promise. Students presently enrolled at AAC will receive the tuition promise set at the tuition rate in the academic year they are currently in.

What does the Four-Year Tuition Promise include?

The promise includes all tuition and fees over eight consecutive semesters. The promise does not include parking/housing, books, supplies, or other general costs of attendance outside of the tuition and fees.

Undergrad Tuition

The Art Academy’s tuition and fees are 18% lower, on average, than the cost of other independent colleges of art and design in this region. The average student covers 63% of their costs via financial aid. For information, click the Financial Aid office page:

Four Year Undergrad Tuition Promise

2024- 2025 Fall // Spring

Undergraduate Fees

Full-Time Tuition (Per Year) $38,625
Full-Time Tuition (Per Semester) $19,312.50

How to Pay Tuition

Tuition and fees are due and must be paid in full prior to the start of classes each semester.

Semester Payment Plan:

Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) will work with you to close the gap for any remaining balance for tuition and fees after applying for financial aid and scholarships. AAC offers a semester payment plan at the start of the semesters for fall and spring semesters only. Being on a semester payment plan could mean taking out fewer student loans. Please refer to the following link for more information regarding semester payment plans and how to enroll: AAC Semester Payment Plan Requirements.

Please refer to the following link to submit a request to set up a payment plan: Payment Plan Application Link

After the application is submitted the Business Office will contact you with additional information.

Semester Payment Plan Installments Due Dates:
4 Monthly Installments	Fall Semester Term	Spring Semester Term
Installment #1 Due Date – 25%	September 15	January 31
Installment #2 Due Date – 25%	October 15	February 28
Installment #3 Due Date – 25%	November 15	March 31
Installment #4 Due Date – 25%	December 15	April 30

If you have questions, call Student Billing at 513-562-6290

Annual Student Services Fee: $1500

(full-time and part-time students)
Per Semester Student Services Fee: $750

(full-time and part-time students)
Annual Technology Fee: $1250

(full-time and part-time students)
Per Semester Technology Fee: $625
Transcript Fee: $5 ($10)

Standard turn-around time: $5 - Expedited same day time $10. Please note, Any students wanting an official transcript must contact The Office of the Registrar by email registrar@artacademy.edu. An official transcript of a student’s record is issued only at the written request of the student. The Art Academy of Cincinnati does not release an official transcript for a student who is delinquent on any financial obligation. Students who have an outstanding balance hold on their account must consult with the Business Office business@artacademy.edu before a transcript might be released to them. If The Business Office authorize a transcript to be released to the student, they will communicate that to the Registrar Office.

Two Payment Options:

1. Make a payment towards your tuition balance using the Diamond Mind portal:

2. Make a payment towards your tuition balance directly through your Campus Cafe account:

AAC provides many convenient ways for current students to pay their tuition, fees and other expenses. We accept checks (must be US dollar accounts and drawn on a US financial institution), cash, all major credit cards and money orders (also must be US dollars and backed by a US financial institution). You may mail in your payment, but the preferred method of payment is via one of our two payment portal options (depending on your needs).

If you would like to pay by check, please see Wendy Taylor-Reidy, Office Manager, in the office suite on the 2nd floor.
513-562-6265

Tuition Policies

Tuition Refund Policy

If a student withdraws from the Art Academy or drops below full-time status (under 12 credit hours), tuition will be credited computed from the date of withdrawal as officially recorded by the Registrar.

FALL AND SPRING SEMESTER
Before the end of the first week: 100%
Before the end of the second week: 75%
Before the end of the third week: 50%
Before the end of the fourth week: 25%
After the fourth week: no refund given

SUMMER SESSION
Before the end of the first day: 100%
Before the end of the first week: 50%
After first week: No refund given

Only tuition is refunded; fees are nonrefundable. The Finance Office calculates and determines all amounts credited to an account and will return any financial aid, grants, loans and scholarship funds as required by the different programs. An open balance will be due in full immediately.

Financial Aid Repayment

Students who receive Federal Title IV Financial Aid and do not complete their classes will be responsible for repaying to the Department of Education unearned portions of aid. During the first 60 percent of a semester, a student is entitled to Title IV funds in direct proportion to the length of time he or she remains enrolled. A student who remains enrolled beyond the 60 percent point earns all aid for the semester. Unearned Title IV funds, other than Federal Work Study, must be returned back to the Federal Student Aid Programs. A Return of Title IV Funds Policy statement is available in the Financial Aid and Finance Offices.

Unpaid Accounts & Finance Charges

The Art Academy of Cincinnati will not issue a diploma, transcripts or records, grade reports, statements of recommendation, nor allow future registration to any student whose financial accounts with the Art Academy are not paid in full. All financial accounts must be paid in full prior to the start of classes. A finance charge will be applied to any account with an unpaid balance after the date payments are due and for every month following that the balance is not paid in full. Students with delinquent accounts are referred to a collection agency.

Graduate MAAE Tuition

Summer Graduate Tuition

2024 Summer

Cost per credit hour $1097

Full-time load of 11 credits per summer

MAAE Information

When to Pay
Tuition and fees must be paid in full one week prior to the start of classes each semester. An unpaid balance will void your registration, and you will not be able to attend class until your account is paid in full.

Deposits
In order for a new incoming student to reserve a place in the Summer 2025 MAAE class, the Art Academy must receive a non-refundable registration deposit of $200.00. This registration deposit is credited toward the summer’s tuition. If the student does not attend the Art Academy, this deposit is forfeited.

How to Pay
Tuition and fees may be paid by check, cash, VISA or MasterCard, or through a monthly payment plan offered by an independent tuition payment service.

Refund Policy
If a graduate student withdraws from the Art Academy or drops a class, tuition will be credited computed from the date of withdrawal as officially recorded by the Registrar. The refund policy is as follows:

MAAE Tuition Policies

Summer Session Refund Policy for MAAE Students

Before the end of the first day: 100%
Before the end of the first week: 50%
After the first week: no refund given

The Finance Office calculates and determines all amounts credited to an account and will return any financial aid, grants, loans and scholarship funds as required by the different programs. An open balance will be due in full immediately.