Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
- Graduation Rate
- 66% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $33,301 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $30,083 F
- 76% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 9.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $9.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $9.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $961,810.
What The Data Says
-
A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $9.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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 Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 400
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
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
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $30,083 a year after grants and scholarships — 76% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $33,301 ten years after enrolling — 18% below the typical college, against $27,000 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
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a great fit for students passionate about the visual and performing arts. With an acceptance rate of 99%, it welcomes a diverse range of talent, allowing aspiring artists to hone their skills in programs like illustration, graphic design, and photography. The intimate enrollment of around 400 students fosters a close-knit community where creativity thrives, and students can receive personalized attention from faculty.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $33,301 after ten years, which provides a solid foundation for building a career in the arts. While the graduation rate stands at 66%, this reflects the challenges many creative students face as they navigate their educational paths. It's important to consider affordability; with nearly half of the students receiving Pell Grants, many find financial support to help them pursue their degrees without overwhelming debt.
When we look at the numbers, the net price after aid is around $30,083, with a median debt of $27,000. This means most graduates are entering the workforce with a manageable debt load, especially compared to potential earnings in their field. Students who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and dedicated to their craft, ready to embrace the unique opportunities that come with a focused education in the arts.
Can I Get In?
How selective Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 24%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $4,574
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 7:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- Applicants
- 562
- Admitted
- 249
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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is $32,150, 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 $30,083. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,547 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $32,150
- Out-of-State
- $32,150
- Avg Net Price
- $30,083
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 47%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $24,547
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $24,115
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $26,576
- Family Income $110K+
- $37,851
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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design — 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania College of Art and Design report median earnings of $33,301, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $23,638
- 8 Years
- $28,843
- 10 Years
- $33,301
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.81x
- Earning > $25K
- 38%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (29)
- 49%
- 100% (29)
- 49%
- 100% (29)
- 49%
- 100% (29)
- 49%
How Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $30,083/year ($120,332 total). Graduates earn $33,301 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,082,142 in total earnings — a net gain of $961,810 (9.0× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 66% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $120,332
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,082,142
- Net Return
- $961,810
- ROI Multiple
- 9.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $30,083
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $2,659,295
- Total Expenses
- $8,589,265
- Federal Grants
- $1,030,876
- Investment Income
- $-262,366
Top Programs
The fields Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design'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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is $32,150, 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 $30,083. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,547 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania College of Art and Design report median earnings of $33,301, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
- Mitchell CollegeNew London, CT · Close peer43% grad $39,115 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Naropa UniversityBoulder, CO · Close peer42% grad $28,720 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Herzing University-KenoshaKenosha, WI · Close peer63% grad $36,909 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Paine CollegeAugusta, GA · Close peer17% grad $33,338 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Pacific Northwest College of ArtPortland, OR · Close peer36% grad $34,883 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Columbia International UniversityColumbia, SC · Close peer55% grad $38,951 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size
