Organizer Information
The State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia) is a public university in the State University of New York system. Its academic offerings include visual arts, film and video, graphic design, photography, theatre, dance, music, education, and other disciplines. The university's Visual Arts and New Media and Theatre and Dance departments provide undergraduate pathways for students pursuing creative and performing arts. Fredonia also offers graduate programs in selected academic fields.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia)
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate and graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, BS, BMus, MM, MS, MSEd, MA, and other program-specific qualifications
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Film, Photography, Animation, Graphic Design, Art History, Theatre, Dance, Music, Education, and other disciplines
- Relevant Programs: Visual Arts (BA); Art History (BA); Animation + Illustration (BFA); Ceramics (BFA); Drawing + Painting (BFA); Film and Video Arts (BFA); Graphic Design (BFA); Photography (BFA); Sculpture (BFA); Acting (BFA); Dance (BFA/BS); Musical Theatre (BFA); Theatre Arts (BA); Theatrical Production & Design (BFA)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Rolling admissions for first-year undergraduate applicants; applications for Spring/Fall 2027 opened 1 August 2026
- Application Deadline: No single general deadline for all programs; program-specific audition and prescreening deadlines apply
- Start of Studies: Spring and Fall semesters
- Application Fee: Graduate application — $75; undergraduate fee requires confirmation on the applicable application route
- Tuition: 2026–2027 annual tuition for non-resident undergraduates — $14,140; non-resident graduate students — $24,500
- Funding: Merit-based scholarships and other financial aid, subject to eligibility
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Relevant creative programs include studio art, animation, illustration, film production, photography, graphic design, art history, theatre, dance, and theatrical design and production. The BA in Visual Arts offers a broader liberal arts structure, while the BFA programs provide more intensive study in a chosen artistic discipline.
- Applicants should consult the individual program's admissions requirements before applying. Portfolio reviews apply to specified Visual Arts and New Media programs, while some Theatre and Dance degrees require auditions or other selection procedures.
General Eligibility
- SUNY Fredonia accepts domestic and international applicants. First-year undergraduate applicants are those who have not taken college-level courses after graduating from secondary school. Applicants who have taken college-level courses after graduation are generally directed to the transfer application route.
- Applicants must meet the academic and any additional requirements of their intended program. International applicants must also provide the required financial documentation and demonstrate English proficiency or qualify for an applicable pathway option.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must provide secondary-school transcripts and proof of graduation when available. Transfer applicants must submit university transcripts and, where applicable, course descriptions and an evaluation of coursework completed outside the United States. Applicants seeking a second bachelor's degree follow the transfer application route.
- Graduate applicants must meet the academic prerequisites of their selected graduate program. Specific prior-degree requirements depend on the program.
Language Requirements
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency for direct admission through an accepted test or qualification. The published minimums include:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 105
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: 176
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency: 180
Other accepted routes include specified SAT, Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level, and International Baccalaureate English results, or 30 successfully completed credit hours at a US college or university. Applicants whose postsecondary degree was taught in English may qualify for a waiver, subject to university approval.
Applicants who do not meet direct-admission English requirements may qualify for the International Pathway Program. Its entry thresholds vary by pathway and study level.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate — SUNY Application or Common Application | $50 |
| Graduate — most programs | $75 |
| Graduate — Speech-Language Pathology | Uses the CSDCAS application route; verify the applicable fee |
Graduate application fee waivers are available to Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) participants and McNair Scholars. SUNY also periodically runs application-fee waiver promotions; eligibility and dates depend on the specific campaign.
Tuition
| Study level/category | Tuition | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate — New York State resident | $7,070 | Per academic year, full-time |
| Undergraduate — non-resident / international | $14,140 | Per academic year, full-time |
| Graduate — New York State resident | $11,310 | Per academic year, full-time |
| Graduate — non-resident / international | $24,500 | Per academic year, full-time |
| Fully online graduate programs — non-resident | $13,570 | Per academic year, where eligible |
| Fully online MBA — non-resident | $18,280 | Per academic year |
- Additional mandatory charges: The published annual estimate lists university fees of $1,767. International students are also assessed a one-time $180 international student fee in their first semester. Housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses are separate from tuition. Actual costs depend on enrollment and living arrangements.
- Part-time students are charged according to credit-hour rates. Students should consult the official tuition schedule for their program and enrollment status before budgeting.
Funding & Financial Support
- Fredonia offers merit-based scholarships and other financial aid. International undergraduate applicants are reviewed for eligible merit awards at the time of admission; awards are not guaranteed.
- US federal financial aid and New York State aid have separate eligibility rules. International students should confirm which institutional scholarships and other awards apply to their applicant category.
University Services & Academic Support
- Creative students have access to program-specific facilities and learning environments. Film and Video Arts emphasizes practical filmmaking, including camera work, lighting, editing, sound design, and access to professional editing suites. Theatrical Production & Design provides practical training through production work and specialized design and technical spaces.
- International applicants can contact the university's international admissions team for assistance with application documentation and pathway options.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants
- Completed SUNY Application or Common Application.
- Official secondary-school transcript.
- Proof of graduation, when available for international applicants.
- English proficiency evidence for international applicants, unless an approved alternative or waiver applies.
- Financial Statement Form and supporting financial documentation for international applicants.
- Passport identification page for international applicants.
Program-specific creative requirements
- Portfolio: Applicants to Animation + Illustration, Drawing + Painting, Film and Video Arts, and Graphic Design must review the Visual Arts and New Media portfolio requirements.
- Audition or additional selection: Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance (BFA), and Theatrical Production & Design have program-specific audition, prescreening, or interview procedures. Requirements differ by program.
Graduate applicants
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0; conditional admission may be considered for lower GPAs.
- Online graduate application and applicable application fee.
- Resume.
- Statement of Intent of at least one page.
- Official transcripts, subject to the university's stated exceptions.
- Two recommendation letters.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens for Spring/Fall 2027: 1 August 2026
- Application Review Begins for Spring/Fall 2027: October 2026
- FAFSA Application Opens for Spring/Fall 2027: 1 October 2026
- Spring 2027 Tuition Deposit Deadline: 1 December 2026
- BFA Acting and BFA Musical Theatre Prescreening Deadline: 19 February 2027
- Fall 2027 First-Year Tuition Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Fall 2027 Transfer Student Tuition Deposit Deadline: 1 June 2027
Location
State University of New York at Fredonia — Fredonia, New York, United States
Additional Details
- Portfolio and audition requirements are program-specific. Applicants should check the exact requirements for their intended major before submitting an application.
- International applicants who do not meet direct English proficiency requirements may be considered for the International Pathway Program, depending on their academic eligibility and pathway placement.
- Tuition and living-cost estimates are not interchangeable. The published tuition figures exclude housing, food, and other personal expenses. International students should also account for the additional international student fee.
- Graduate application procedures differ by program. Speech-Language Pathology uses CSDCAS rather than the standard graduate application route.