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Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603-0059

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrban

Close-knit campus

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private urban institution in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 312 undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

64% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $33,301 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $29,266.

Established
1982
Mascot
Peacocks
Type
Private art and design college

Campus Visits

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46%Acceptance
SAT Avg
312Students
9:1Student:Faculty
64%Grad Rate
$33,301Earnings 10yr
$29,266Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate45.9%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$31,370
Room & Board$12,535
Books & Supplies$1,650
Total Cost of Attendance$41,394
Average Net Price$29,266
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$24,506
$30–48K$24,698
$48–75K$30,147
$75–110K$31,900
$110K+$35,035

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

22.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$23,980

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

2

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

0

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (4)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

83%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
312
Gender Split
72% / 28%
Women / Men
Pell Grant Recipients
46%

Race & Ethnicity

White 64%
Black 14%
Hispanic 1%
Asian 6%
Two+ 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate63.8%
Freshman Retention82.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$23,638
10 Years$33,301

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

Niche
#30
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History PCA D traces its origins to the former York Academy of Arts, which closed in 1982.
  • In 1984, PSA was accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
  • The school moved to Lancaster in 1987, adopting the name Pennsylvania School of Art Design (PSAD).
  • In 1999, the Pennsylvania Department of Education authorized the institution to grant degrees, and in 2001 PSAD secured its permanent campus at 204 North Prince Street, Lancaster.
  • In 2003, the school was granted final approval as a four-year college and renamed Pennsylvania College of Art Design.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

105Above Average

Estimated from PA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
61 mi(106 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
130 mi(225 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
196 mi(340 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MDT Harrisburg26 mi
PHL Philadelphia PHL58 mi
ABE Lehigh Valley62 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA316 mi · ~9h 8m drive
New York, NY130 mi · ~3h 45m drive
Hartford, CT224 mi · ~6h 28m drive
Providence, RI284 mi · ~8h 12m drive
Albany, NY224 mi · ~6h 28m drive
Syracuse, NY208 mi · ~6h 1m drive
Rochester, NY225 mi · ~6h 30m drive
Buffalo, NY237 mi · ~6h 51m drive
Philadelphia, PA61 mi · ~1h 46m drive
Pittsburgh, PA196 mi · ~5h 40m drive
Harrisburg, PA34 mi · ~59 min drive
Newark, NJ122 mi · ~3h 31m drive
Trenton, NJ84 mi · ~2h 26m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Application Checklist

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