Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 18/100, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $33,301 — 38% below average — while paying $30,083/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 81% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pennsylvania College of Art and Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 40 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #2 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #3 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #4 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #5 | United Tribes Technical College | 49 | $3,569 | $25,292 |
| #6 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #18 | Pennsylvania College of Art and Design | 18 | $30,083 | $33,301 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,083/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lancaster, PA
- Student Body
- 400 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,083
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $33,301
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000