Is academy of art university like the art institutes?

They're also a chain of for-profit schools. They leave people in just as much debt but they CLAIM to actually place people at reputable jobs. But bear in mind, it should be taken with a grain of salt, since all they have to do is employ one student at Disney to say "we place people at Disney" or something.

Honestly, I wouldn't trust ANY school that makes any sort of 'promises' like that. There is way too many recruiters trying to make a fast buck off the free-flowing government money that they're all chasing.

There is no guaranteed future with these schools nowadays. Sometimes it might be easier to just jump right into the work world and see where it takes you.

Also here is more bad news about AI for your reviewing pleasure.

Academy of Art University is one school. They have a campus in San Francisco and one online. They are an accredited member of both NASAD and WASC. You can find out more about placements on the homepage for each major on their website at www.academyart.edu. They list companies where students currently work.

You can also read about what specific students and alumni have gone on to do at http://www.academyart.edu/news/academynews.jsp.