American College of the Building Arts is a private nonprofit institution offering bachelor's degrees based in Charleston, South Carolina. It enrolls 155 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorAccrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
68/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes71
Value—
Affordability15
Selectivity70
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 44.4%, American College of the Building Arts is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
44.4%
Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1130 – 1290
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
20 – 27
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether American College of the Building Arts is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
34.4 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending American College of the Building Arts isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $30,403 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$30,403
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
18%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
39%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$21,500
Room & Board (off-campus)
$14,091
Books & Supplies
$950
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,849
Total Cost of Attendance
$38,073
Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$27,879
$30,001 – $48,000
$29,454
$48,001 – $75,000
$32,248
$75,001 – $110,000
$33,835
Over $110,000
$34,704
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$12,500Medianpercentile
What this means:
18% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
87% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
—
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
87%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
Who Studies Here
American College of the Building Arts is home to 155 students, an intimate, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
155
Part-Time
1%
First-Generation
—
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 90.3%140
Black 2.6%4
Asian 2.6%4
Other 2.6%4
Hispanic 1.9%3
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at American College of the Building Arts. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityCharleston, South Carolina
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
31%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
American College of the Building Arts offers
a focused set of programs:
2 distinct programs across
1 major.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at American College of the Building Arts is 8:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
8:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$7.1M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$67,187
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
15 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
15
100%
$67,187
Pros & Cons of American College of the Building Arts
A quick at-a-glance summary of how American College of the Building Arts tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
No graduate programs offered at this institution
Best for:
Based on the data, American College of the Building Arts is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about American College of the Building Arts
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about American College of the Building Arts.
Is American College of the Building Arts hard to get into?
American College of the Building Arts is selective but not extremely competitive. Its acceptance rate is 44.4%. Strong academic credentials and a thoughtful application materially improve your odds.
What is the acceptance rate at American College of the Building Arts?
American College of the Building Arts has an acceptance rate of 44.4%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for American College of the Building Arts?
The middle 50% of admitted students at American College of the Building Arts scored between 1130 and 1290 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for American College of the Building Arts?
The middle 50% of admitted students at American College of the Building Arts scored between 20 and 27 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does American College of the Building Arts cost?
The average net price after aid at American College of the Building Arts is $30,403 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is American College of the Building Arts known for?
American College of the Building Arts is best known for its programs in Architectural Sciences and Technology, Architectural Sciences and Technology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is American College of the Building Arts accredited?
Yes. American College of the Building Arts is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
How many students attend American College of the Building Arts?
American College of the Building Arts enrolls 155 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
Is American College of the Building Arts a public or private college?
American College of the Building Arts is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is American College of the Building Arts located?
American College of the Building Arts is located in Charleston, South Carolina.
What programs does American College of the Building Arts offer?
American College of the Building Arts offers 2 distinct programs. The most popular include Architectural Sciences and Technology, Architectural Sciences and Technology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at American College of the Building Arts?
The student-to-faculty ratio at American College of the Building Arts is 8:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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