Private art school in Philadelphia that trained visual artists for over 75 years before closing in 2023.
Hussian College was established on July 1, 1946, by John Hussian, a prominent Philadelphia artist and lecturer, to provide fine art training for World War II veterans returning under the G.I. Bill. The school initially focused on fine art but shifted to commercial art in the 1960s as the market evolved. It received national accreditation from NATTS in 1972 and ACCSC in 1992, maintaining good standing throughout its operation.
The institution offered a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree as its primary program. Prior to 2014, it awarded an Associate of Science in Technology (AST) degree in visual arts. The curriculum evolved to include digital media and reflected feedback from industry advisors and the professional art community. The school transitioned to collegiate status in 2015, formally changing its name from Hussian School of Art to Hussian College.
The main campus was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a branch campus called the Studio School in Los Angeles. The institution was privately owned and operated, with various leadership changes over its history, including presidents John Hussian, Ronald Dove, Bruce Wartman, and Melissa Morgan.
In August 2023, Hussian College abruptly announced it was closing and no longer enrolling students. The board of trustees voted to cease operations after determining that the college's financial distress was more severe than previously reported and that there was no viable path forward.