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Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Lancaster, PA·Private nonprofit·312 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. a private nonprofit school with 312 students.

46%
Accept
312
Students
$29,266
Net Price
64%
Grad Rate
$30,600
Earnings
10 yr
$23,980
Debt

About This School

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with approximately 312 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 46% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $29,266 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $30,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design is a private art and design college located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. The college offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), and Associate of Arts (AA) degrees, as well as minors, certificate programs, and continuing education opportunities.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a tight-knit community of just 312 students and an 83% freshman retention rate suggest students who enroll tend to connect with the experience, but a 64% graduation rate means roughly one in three students doesn't finish. The bigger concern is financial — median earnings of $30,600 a decade out make the $29,266 annual net price and $23,980 in typical debt a real stretch, so this is worth considering only if you're pursuing a specific art or design career path where you've done the homework on actual job prospects.

Founded
1982
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts100%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$31,370
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,370
Avg Net Price
$29,266
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants46%
Median debt at graduation$23,980

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
64%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
83%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$30,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$23,980
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$23,980
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$24,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$30,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.3x

Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.

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

Student Body

White64%
Black14%
Hispanic/Latino1%
Asian6%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (312 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

204 N Prince St

Lancaster, PA 17608-0059

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.
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