Pacific Northwest College of Art
- Graduation Rate
- 36% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,883 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $35,785 F
- 109% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $8.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,047,548.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 36% — 38% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Pacific Northwest College of Art
Pacific Northwest College of Art is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Enrollment
- 420
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Pacific Northwest College of Art
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 75% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $35,785 a year after grants and scholarships — 109% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,883 ten years after enrolling — 14% below the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 420 students and a 75% acceptance rate, Pacific Northwest College of Art is a good fit for those passionate about the creative fields, especially in Visual and Performing Arts. This is a place where artistic expression is at the forefront, making it an appealing choice for students who want to immerse themselves in a vibrant community dedicated to the arts. The intimate setting allows for close connections with faculty and peers, fostering a collaborative environment that can enhance the learning experience.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $34,883 within the first ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 36%, it’s important to consider the supportive community here, which can help students find their footing in the creative industry. The cost of attendance is relatively high, but for those who receive Pell Grants, which account for 41% of students, financial support can make a significant difference in managing expenses.
The net price after aid is approximately $35,785, with a median debt of $25,000 upon graduation. This financial landscape suggests that students who thrive here are often those who are truly committed to their craft and willing to navigate the challenges of a creative career. The emphasis on the arts attracts individuals who are passionate and driven, ready to make their mark in a competitive field.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Pacific Northwest College of Art is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pacific Northwest College of Art? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Portland, Oregon, Pacific Northwest College of Art admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 19%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,311
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 18%
- Applicants
- 471
- Admitted
- 445
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pacific Northwest College of Art? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pacific Northwest College of Art is $49,006, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $35,785. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $28,219 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $49,006
- Out-of-State
- $49,006
- Avg Net Price
- $35,785
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $28,219
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $30,517
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $30,916
- Family Income $110K+
- $44,522
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pacific Northwest College of Art — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pacific Northwest College of Art Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pacific Northwest College of Art report median earnings of $34,883, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $24,101
- 8 Years
- $29,008
- 10 Years
- $34,883
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.72x
- Earning > $25K
- 33%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (20)
- 27%
- 100% (20)
- 27%
- 100% (20)
- 27%
- 100% (20)
- 27%
How Pacific Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Pacific Northwest College of Art Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pacific Northwest College of Art delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $35,785/year ($143,140 total). Graduates earn $34,883 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,190,688 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,047,548 (8.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $143,140
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,190,688
- Net Return
- $1,047,548
- ROI Multiple
- 8.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $35,785
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Pacific Northwest College of Art awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 100% $32,668 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pacific Northwest College of Art's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C-Art Director$105,180 · 5% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Animator$86,120 · 3% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Fashion Designer$79,600 · 1% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Interior Designer$62,510 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Museum Curator$59,880 · 8% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Graphic Designer$58,910 · 3% growthVulnerable 48
- D+Photographer$40,760 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pacific Northwest College of Art? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Portland, Oregon, Pacific Northwest College of Art admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pacific Northwest College of Art? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pacific Northwest College of Art is $49,006, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $35,785. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $28,219 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Pacific Northwest College of Art Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pacific Northwest College of Art report median earnings of $34,883, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pacific Northwest College of Art.
- Maine College of Art & DesignPortland, ME · Close peer50% grad $40,778 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Mitchell CollegeNew London, CT · Close peer43% grad $39,115 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- Stephens CollegeColumbia, MO · Close peer45% grad $43,071 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Valley ForgePhoenixville, PA · Close peer52% grad $39,016 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar size · similar net price
- Williams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge, AR · Close peer31% grad $38,484 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Trinity College of JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL · Close peer38% grad $37,275 earn 53% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
