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Moore College of Art and Design

Philadelphia, PA·Private nonprofit·390 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 390 students.

61%
Accept
390
Students
$43,369
Net Price
63%
Grad Rate
$36,600
Earnings
10 yr
$20,500
Debt

About This School

Moore College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with approximately 390 undergraduate students enrolled. Moore College of Art and Design has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 61%. The average net price after financial aid is $43,369 per year. The graduation rate is 63%, and the typical graduate earns $36,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Moore College of Art & Design is a private art school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1848 by Sarah Worthington Peter as the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, and was renamed the Moore College of Art & Design in 1989. Although the school's undergraduate programs were historically only open to women, Moore opened admission to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming students in 2020. Its other educational programs, including graduate programs and youth programs, are co-educational.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 63% graduation rate and median earnings of just $36,600 a decade out raise real questions about whether the degree pays off, especially against a $43,369 annual net price. That said, this is one of the few women-focused art and design colleges in the country, and the small 390-student enrollment means genuine close attention from faculty — if you're serious about a specialized art career and Philadelphia appeals to you, that environment has real value. Just go in clear-eyed about the financial picture and have a concrete plan for how your degree translates to income.

Founded
1848
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts97%
Education3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

PinkAlice NeelJessie Willcox SmithAlice Barber Stephens

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1303
Reading 75th %ile688
Math 75th %ile723

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$50,279
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,279
Avg Net Price
$43,369
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants41%
Median debt at graduation$20,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
63%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
81%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$36,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$29,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$36,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White52%
Black16%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (390 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Moore College of Art and Design

20th and the Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103-1179

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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