Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with 400 undergraduates. It admits 99% of applicants, costs an average of $33,456 a year after grants and graduates 69% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design acceptance rate and admissions
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design admitted 99% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Rolling admission | Applications reviewed as they arrive |
Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Pennsylvania College of Art and Design’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $33,309 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $18,044 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $49,050 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $33,456 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $33,456 a year after grants and scholarships, $15,594 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 69% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $36,746 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $27,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 73% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design majors and what graduates earn
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design awarded bachelor's degrees in 3 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from graphic and industrial design ($38,275).
All 3 majors at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic and industrial design | 54 | $25,926 | $38,275 | $27,000 |
| Fine and studio arts | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Film and photography | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Students and location
- 400 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 69% women, 32% men
- 10 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by National Association of Schools of Arts and Design
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design admitted 99% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Pennsylvania College of Art and Design cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $33,309. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $33,456 a year in 2024-25.
Is Pennsylvania College of Art and Design test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
69% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $36,746 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Pennsylvania · colleges in Lancaster · Pennsylvania College of Art and Design on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.