Organizer Information
Purchase College, State University of New York (SUNY Purchase) is a public college located in Purchase, New York. Its academic divisions include the School of Art+Design, School of Film and Media Studies, and conservatories for the performing arts. The college offers undergraduate and graduate education in visual arts, film, media, humanities, and other disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Purchase College, State University of New York
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate and graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and other discipline-specific degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, Film, Cinema Studies, Media Studies, Art History, and Creative Writing
- Relevant Programs: Film (BFA); Cinema and Television Studies (BA); Photography (BFA); Graphic Design (BFA); Painting and Drawing (BFA); Printmaking (BFA); Sculpture (BFA); Visual Arts (BS/BFA); Visual Arts (MFA); Art History (MA); Art History/Visual Arts (MA/MFA)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Program-specific; fall and spring entry options depend on the program
- Application Deadline: Varies by program; fall 2027 deadlines include 19 January 2027 for the Visual Arts MFA
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027; spring entry is available for some undergraduate programs
- Application Fee: $50 undergraduate; $80 Art History MA; $85 Visual Arts MFA
- Tuition: 2026–2027 full-time annual tuition for out-of-state students is listed at $18,554 for undergraduates and $25,232 for graduates.
- Funding: Institutional scholarships and financial aid are available subject to eligibility.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Purchase College offers programs in studio art, visual communication, photography, filmmaking, film studies, and related creative disciplines. Applicants can pursue practice-based degrees or academic study of film and the arts.
- Relevant undergraduate programs include Film (BFA), Cinema and Television Studies (BA), Photography (BFA), Graphic Design (BFA), Painting and Drawing (BFA), Printmaking (BFA), Sculpture (BFA), and Visual Arts (BS/BFA). Graduate options include Visual Arts (MFA), Art History (MA), and the combined Art History/Visual Arts (MA/MFA) pathway.
General Eligibility
- Domestic and international applicants may apply, subject to each program's admissions requirements. Undergraduate applicants must meet the relevant first-year or transfer admission conditions. Arts programs may require a portfolio or artistic assessment in addition to the standard application.
- Graduate applicants must meet the academic and program-specific requirements for their chosen degree. International applicants must also satisfy applicable English-language and documentation requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants must provide academic transcripts. Graduate applicants must submit official transcripts from colleges attended. The exact prior-degree requirements for graduate admission should be confirmed on the relevant program page.
- Additional eligibility conditions: The Film BFA requires an artistic submission and includes an interview for selected candidates. Applicants transferring into Film BFA enter as first-year students in that program, regardless of their existing credit standing.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English, and applicants whose undergraduate degree was completed in a country where English is not the language of instruction, may be required to demonstrate English proficiency.
The international admissions guidance lists these minimum scores:
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 105
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format): 4.5
- TOEFL iBT (pre-2026 format): 80
- TOEFL PBT: 550
- TOEFL CBT: 213
Official score reports must be submitted by the testing service. Exemptions may apply under the college's stated conditions.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Program | Application Fee | Additional Portfolio Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Art+Design | $50 | $5 |
| Undergraduate Film BFA | $50 | $30 |
| Graduate Visual Arts MFA | $85 | Portfolio fee not stated on the cited admissions page |
| Graduate Art History MA | $80 | Portfolio not listed as an MA requirement |
The undergraduate portfolio fees are nonrefundable. The MFA and MA application fees are also nonrefundable.
Tuition
| Study Level / Applicant Category | Tuition per Year | College Fees per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, out-of-state | $18,554 | $2,043 |
| Graduate, out-of-state | $25,232 | $2,043 |
- Source: SUNY Purchase's 2026–2027 estimated costs for international students. Annual amounts are based on the institution's published full-time cost figures.
- For additional context, the college's general 2026–2027 tuition page lists undergraduate tuition and fees separately by New York State residency and enrollment status. New York State residents qualify for lower undergraduate tuition rates. Graduate tuition also differs by residency status.
- Additional costs may include housing, meals, international medical insurance, course-related charges, books, and supplies. The published international cost estimates for 2026–2027 include:
- Undergraduate estimated total expenses: $42,388 per year
- Graduate estimated total expenses: $50,256 per year
These totals include tuition, college fees, estimated housing and meals, and international medical insurance. Personal expenses and some course-related charges may be additional.
Funding & Financial Support
Purchase College provides financial aid and scholarship resources. Eligibility depends on the funding scheme and the applicant's circumstances.
- Domestic applicants: Federal and New York State aid programs, including FAFSA and TAP, are available to eligible students.
- International applicants: Review the college's international student cost guidance and individual scholarship conditions before relying on financial assistance.
International applicants should not assume that domestic federal or state financial aid is available to them.
University Services & Academic Support
- The School of Art+Design provides studio-based learning, specialist workspaces, and opportunities to engage with exhibitions and public programs. Its facilities support experimentation with different artistic media and materials.
- The college also provides international student guidance, including information about immigration documentation and the transition to studying in the United States. Access to specific studios, equipment, and academic resources depends on program and institutional policies.
Application Requirements
Requirements vary by program.
Undergraduate Art+Design programs
- SUNY Application with Purchase Supplemental Application, or Common Application
- $50 application fee
- Academic transcripts
- Portfolio submission and $5 portfolio fee
- Letter of recommendation
Undergraduate Film BFA
- SUNY Application with Purchase Supplemental Application, or Common Application
- $50 application fee
- Academic transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
- Artistic submission and $30 portfolio fee
- At least one creative fiction writing sample, up to 15 pages in total
- Film or video submissions may be included, with a maximum combined runtime of 20 minutes
- A statement describing the applicant's role in each submitted production
Selected Film BFA applicants are invited to an interview. Portfolio material must be original; AI tools and large language models are prohibited in creating portfolio content.
Graduate Visual Arts MFA
- Completed graduate application
- $85 nonrefundable application fee
- Official academic transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Artist statement
- Portfolio of no more than 15 examples of work
- Resume (optional)
Graduate Art History MA
- Completed graduate application
- $80 nonrefundable application fee
- Official academic transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- One or two writing samples
Applicants pursuing the combined MA/MFA must apply separately to both programs and be admitted to each.
International applicants may need official English test scores and additional documents, such as a passport identification page, depending on their circumstances and the college's instructions.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal
- Purchase Supplemental Application Portal
- Graduate Admissions Portal
Deadline & Timeline
Fall 2027 — Art+Design undergraduate programs
- Priority Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Priority Portfolio Submission Deadline: 1 December 2026
- General Application Deadline: 15 February 2027
- General Portfolio Submission Deadline: 22 February 2027
Spring entry — Art+Design
- Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Portfolio Submission Deadline: 1 December 2026
Fall 2027 — Film BFA
- Application Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Portfolio Submission Deadline: 7 January 2027
Fall 2027 — Visual Arts MFA
- Application Deadline: 19 January 2027
- Finalist Interviews: Late February–March 2027
- Admission Decisions: Late March–early April 2027
- Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
These deadlines apply to the named programs. Applicants to other degrees must check their respective admissions pages for the relevant cycle.
Location
Purchase College, State University of New York — Purchase, New York, United States.
Additional Details
- Film BFA: Applicants do not need prior film or video experience, but must submit creative work demonstrating their artistic perspective and ability to develop independent work.
- Art+Design: Students complete a visual arts foundation year before progressing through their chosen major. Graphic Design BFA admits students for fall entry only.
- International students: Accepted students who require an F-1 visa should review the college's financial documentation and I-20 requirements before enrollment.
- Tuition planning: International students should budget for insurance, housing, meals, and other living expenses in addition to tuition and college fees.
- Admissions cycles: Deadlines and creative submission requirements differ across programs; meeting the general college deadline does not necessarily satisfy a program's portfolio deadline.