Memphis College of Art averages around 300 students each year, with 285 being undergraduate and 15 being graduate students. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Small by choice and purpose, Memphis College of Art is the only not-for-profit, independent art college between Atlanta and Kansas City. It extends its programs to the public through gallery exhibitions, continuing education and children's classes and visiting artist lectures. It is more affordable, compared to similar colleges, as per Princeton Review. Housing is on Barksdale St., in a building called Metz Hall, which is based on 1950s architecture as well. The topmost floor of Metz is a studio space shared by all of the residents. The school has recently purchased multiple buildings on North Tucker Street, forcing many Memphis residents out despite previous leases signed under other landlords.