On September 9, 1998, SAE Expression College received temporary approval from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) to operate, and to offer course instruction in digital visual media and sound comprehensive programs.

The BPPVE granted SAE Expression College temporary approvals to operate and offer diploma, associates and bachelor's degree programs in September 1998.

On January 11, 1999, 60 students began classes in Sound Arts and Digital Visual Media, the first two programs offered by the school.

The change reflects a stronger emphasis on bachelor's degree level learning and more accurately describes the core focus of the college's curriculum in digital arts.

In November 2006, Ex'pression College was approved by the State of California's Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education to offer its fourth BAS degree in Game Art & Design and received approval to offer the Game Art & Design BAS program from the ACCSCT In December of that year.

In 2017, the SAE Institute campus in San Jose was permanently closed due to lack of enrollment and financial issues.

Their website directed users to explore creative media programs at one of the other SAE Institute locations.

[11] On January 10, 2022, it was announced that the Emeryville campus previously leased to SAE Expression College had been sold to Longfellow Real Estate Partners by Griffin Capital for $36 million.

This was seen as a benefit, as one of the school's focuses was putting out small teams of graduates who knew each other and had worked together, so that they could get group internships.

Students who graduated from the sound arts program at SAE Expression College on average made $24,000 before taxes and owed $5,500 a year in loan payments.

[21] In 2014, SAE Expression College's tuition was set at $94,400 for a full four academic year Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

[22] SAE Expression College's tuition was all-inclusive, including all books, whether they were real or electronic, and course materials.