Kansas City Art Institute vs American Conservatory Theater
Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) and American Conservatory Theater (ACT) are two esteemed institutions offering specialized education in the arts. KCAI, a private art college, boasts a 90% acceptance rate and is renowned for its rigorous fine arts programs, particularly in painting, drawing, and sculpture. ACT, a renowned performing arts conservatory, has a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of only 7%. It excels in theater, acting, and musical theater, preparing students for careers on stage and screen. While KCAI's student body is predominantly female (70%), ACT's student population is more evenly distributed between genders. Both institutions offer a vibrant campus life and supportive learning environments, but their distinct programs and acceptance rates cater to different aspirations and skill sets. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your artistic ambitions and academic goals.
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![]() American Conservatory Theater |
![]() Kansas City Art Institute |
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Overview |
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Location | San Francisco, California | Kansas City, Missouri |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 74.0% | |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | N/A | 60.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$90
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 897 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 538 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 206 | |
Yield rate | 38.3% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $51,676 | $52,075 |
Average net price | $27,274 | |
Tuition | $30,235 | $39,975 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,700
Meal plan:
$3,425
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $26,787 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
76.0%
Average amount $4,963 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
14.0%
Average amount $16,562 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
726
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
Graduate students |
13
Men 46.2% Women 53.8% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity | N/A |
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | N/A | 0.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 229 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | N/A | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 100.0% | 62.1% |
Dropout rate | N/A | 17.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 20.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Master's Degrees)
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Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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