About Sessions College for Professional Design
Sessions College operates as one of the few fully online art and design schools in the country. The college specializes in digital creative fields including graphic design, web design, and digital arts through distance learning. With just 152 students enrolled, Sessions maintains an intimate learning environment with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school draws students nationally, with only 8.57% coming from Arizona despite its Tempe headquarters.
Students face moderate costs for specialized design education. The average net price sits at $15,156 annually, though lower-income students pay less at $13,654. Graduates carry a median debt of $17,813, translating to monthly payments of $189. Recent graduates earn $28,773 in their first year, climbing to $39,898 after five years. The employment rate of 73.7% reflects the practical focus on job-ready skills in digital design fields.
The student body skews female at 70.39% and diverse, with 44.74% identifying as students of color. Sessions maintains a perfect 100% retention rate, suggesting students stick with their programs once enrolled. However, the 46.88% four-year graduation rate indicates many students take longer to complete their degrees, possibly due to the working adult demographic common in online programs.
Students face moderate costs for specialized design education. The average net price sits at $15,156 annually, though lower-income students pay less at $13,654. Graduates carry a median debt of $17,813, translating to monthly payments of $189. Recent graduates earn $28,773 in their first year, climbing to $39,898 after five years. The employment rate of 73.7% reflects the practical focus on job-ready skills in digital design fields.
The student body skews female at 70.39% and diverse, with 44.74% identifying as students of color. Sessions maintains a perfect 100% retention rate, suggesting students stick with their programs once enrolled. However, the 46.88% four-year graduation rate indicates many students take longer to complete their degrees, possibly due to the working adult demographic common in online programs.
Academics & Faculty
Sessions College focuses exclusively on digital arts and design education through online programs. With just 152 students and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small and personalized. The school specializes in graphic design, web design, and digital arts programs that prepare students for creative careers. However, only 47% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the challenges many face balancing online coursework with work obligations. The college attracts a diverse student body, with 70% women and strong representation across racial groups. Students typically earn $28,773 one year after graduation, rising to $39,898 after five years. The online format appeals to working professionals seeking to transition into design fields.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 50.0%
- Retention Rate
- 100.0%
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Certificate | $21,964 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $20,140 |
Campus Life
Sessions College operates entirely online, meaning students attend from home rather than a traditional campus. With just 152 students enrolled, the virtual classrooms feel intimate and personal. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio creates opportunities for direct feedback on design projects and portfolio development. Students log in for live critiques, collaborative workshops, and one-on-one mentoring sessions with industry professionals.
The online format attracts working professionals and career changers, with 70.39% of students being women. Many students balance coursework with jobs or family responsibilities, attending evening classes or completing assignments on flexible schedules. Virtual study groups form around major projects, and students share work-in-progress through digital galleries and peer review platforms. The 100% retention rate reflects the school's focus on keeping students engaged through the online learning process. While there's no physical campus life, students connect through design forums, virtual networking events, and alumni showcases that help build professional relationships in the creative industry.
The online format attracts working professionals and career changers, with 70.39% of students being women. Many students balance coursework with jobs or family responsibilities, attending evening classes or completing assignments on flexible schedules. Virtual study groups form around major projects, and students share work-in-progress through digital galleries and peer review platforms. The 100% retention rate reflects the school's focus on keeping students engaged through the online learning process. While there's no physical campus life, students connect through design forums, virtual networking events, and alumni showcases that help build professional relationships in the creative industry.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1997
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 39°–69°F
- July Avg
- 75°–104°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 9.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Women make up more than two-thirds of Sessions College students, reflecting the gender demographics typical of design fields. The student body draws heavily from outside Arizona, with over 90% coming from other states for the online programs. One-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school attracts working-class students seeking affordable design training. The diverse mix includes significant representation from Black and Hispanic students. This demographic profile fits Sessions' mission as an accessible online design school that serves students nationwide who might not have access to traditional art programs in their local areas.
- Men
- 29.6%
- Women
- 70.4%
- White
- 55.3%
- Black
- 18.4%
- Hispanic
- 9.9%
- Asian
- 1.3%
- In-State Students
- 8.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 33.1%
Location
Sessions College operates from Tempe, Arizona, about 10 miles east of Phoenix in the heart of the Valley of the Sun. The campus sits in a active college town anchored by Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities in the country. Tempe offers a desert metropolitan environment with over 300 days of sunshine annually and average winter temperatures in the comfortable 60s and 70s. The area blends urban amenities with Southwestern culture, featuring hiking trails in nearby desert preserves and a thriving arts scene downtown. Students considering colleges in Arizona may also compare Sessions College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Tempe, Arizona 85281
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $39,898
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $189/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $17,813
Frequently Asked Questions
How selective is Sessions College for Professional Design?
Sessions College maintains a 100% retention rate among its 152 students. The school focuses on online art and design education, creating a specialized learning environment for digital creative fields.
What does Sessions College for Professional Design cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $15,156 annually. About 33% of students receive financial aid, with tuition set at $12,440 for both in-state and out-of-state students since this is primarily an online institution.
What academic programs does Sessions College for Professional Design offer?
The college specializes in online art and design education with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. Programs focus on graphic design, web design, and digital arts, serving a student body that is 70% female.
What are the graduation rates at Sessions College for Professional Design?
About 47% of students graduate within four years, while 50% complete their degrees within six years. The school has maintained a perfect retention rate, indicating students who enroll tend to stay enrolled.
Where do Sessions College for Professional Design students come from?
Only 9% of students are from Arizona, reflecting the school's online focus that draws students nationally. The student body is 55% White, 18% Black, and 10% Hispanic, with most students studying remotely rather than on a traditional campus.
How much do Sessions College for Professional Design graduates earn?
Recent graduates earn a median of $28,773 in their first year after graduation, rising to $39,898 five years out. About 74% of graduates find employment, with median student loan debt of $17,813 requiring monthly payments of $189.
