Last Updated: Sunday July 26, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
University of the Arts (UArts) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 78.2% Acceptance Rate

University of the Arts (UArts) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-4901 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://www.uarts.edu/

University of the Arts — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

78.2%Acceptance Rate
$70,834Annual Cost
$38,252Grad Salary
33.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.2%
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
33.4% receive Pell

University of the Arts was a private, specialized institution in Philadelphia known for its intensive, professional-level training in the visual and performing arts. Following its closure in 2024, the institution has transitioned its students and assets, with efforts coordinated to ensure educational continuity. It was historically recognized for its commitment to creative innovation and artistic excellence.

University of the Arts Acceptance Rate

University of the Arts (UArts) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 78.2% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.

What to Expect

  • Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
  • Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive
University of the Arts Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 78.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

Check Your Admission Chances at UArts

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of the Arts's verified institutional data

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Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

University of the Arts (UArts) Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UArts is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into UArts Without SAT or ACT?

UArts neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UArts

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

UArts takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.

Do Not List as an Active Target

University of the Arts closed permanently on June 7, 2024, after the Middle States Commission on Higher Education withdrew its accreditation with about a week's notice. It is not accepting applications for any current or future cycle, and there is no admissions strategy to build here - remove it from any active roadmap and flag it as closed if a student's list includes it.

Redirect to Teach-Out Partners

Students interested in UArts' former disciplines (art, design, film, dance, music, theater) should be pointed to its formal teach-out/transfer partners - most prominently Temple University, Drexel University, and Moore College of Art & Design. Moore has specifically committed to waiving application fees and honoring UArts scholarship offers for displaced students, making it the closest direct substitute.

Don't Assume Program Equivalency

UArts' distinctive programs (e.g., its theater production major, Center for Immersive Media) don't map one-to-one onto any single successor school. Have students compare actual program structure, audition, and portfolio requirements at Temple's Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Drexel's Westphal College, and Moore individually rather than assuming automatic transfer equivalency.

Route Transcript Requests Through the State Process

UArts no longer has a functioning registrar. Any student or counselor needing an official UArts transcript for credit evaluation at a new school should use Pennsylvania's closed-institution student records process rather than the old university website or portal, which is no longer reliably maintained.

Expert Insight:

Because UArts still shows up as if active on the Common App, College Board, and many search/ranking sites, students unfamiliar with the closure sometimes still add it to a list or ask about its supplemental essays. Always verify operational status for any small special-focus arts institution before including it in a roadmap - this is exactly the kind of school where stale data lingers online.

UArts Profile

Full Name
University of the Arts (UArts)
City
Philadelphia
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19102-4901
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website

Is a UArts Degree Worth It?

At $70,834/year against a $38,252 median graduate salary, UArts is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.

The average household income among admitted students is $75,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.22%.

How much does a degree from UArts Cost?

The sticker price is $70,834/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.

33.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 86.6% take federal loans at UArts — file your FAFSA early and list UArts as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a UArts Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $38,252 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.

$70,834Annual Cost
33.4%Pell Grant
86.6%Federal Loan
$38,252Grad Salary (10yr)

Degree Programs at UArts

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Doctoral Degree Programs

UG Certificate or Diploma Programs

Professional Certificate Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About UArts Admissions

Median earnings for University of the Arts graduates sit around $38,252 a year.

At about $70,834 a year, University of the Arts's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.

About 33.4% receive a Pell Grant at University of the Arts — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.

At 78.2%, University of the Arts's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.

Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.

Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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