Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Lancaster, PA · Private nonprofit · offers Bachelor's degrees

Small city

99%Acceptance rate
$30,083Average net price / year
69%Graduation rate
$33,301Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$27,000Median debt at graduation
400Undergraduates

Cost

In-state tuition & fees
$32,150
Total cost of attendance
$43,815
Room & board
$17,230
Books & supplies
$1,650
Average net price
$30,083

Net price by family income

$0–30k
$24,547
$30–48k
$24,115
$48–75k
$26,576
$75–110k
$30,876
$110k+
$37,851

Official net price calculator

Admissions

Acceptance rate
99.2%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
85%
Median earnings (6 yrs)
$23,638
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$33,301
Median debt (graduates)
$27,000
3-year loan default rate
0.0%
Students with Pell grants
47%
Students with federal loans
69%

Programs: what graduates earn

1 of 4 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).

Bachelor's degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Design and Applied Arts36$25,830$27,000

Students

Undergraduates
400
Part-time
4%
Women / men
69% / 32%
White
62%
Hispanic
3%
Black
15%
Asian
5%
International
0%

Faculty & school

Student–faculty ratio
10:1
Avg faculty salary
$41,166 / year
Full-time faculty
24%
Accreditor
National Association of Schools of Arts and Design
Website
pcad.edu
Also known as
NA

Most popular fields

  • Communications Technologies – 2% of degrees
  • Visual & Performing Arts – 98% of degrees

Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?

99.2% of applicants were admitted.

How much does Pennsylvania College of Art and Design cost?

The average net price after grants is $30,083 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $32,150 and the full cost of attendance is $43,815.

How much do Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates earn?

Students who enrolled earn a median of $33,301 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.

What is the graduation rate?

69% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Other colleges in Lancaster

CollegeNet priceAcceptanceGraduationEarnings
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA · Private nonprofit · 1,799 students
$36,42528%84%$76,124
Lancaster Bible College
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$25,48056%67%$44,096
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
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Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster
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$42,47841%69%$86,881
Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork
Lancaster, PA · Private for-profit · 402 students
$11,971—70%$29,738
Empire Beauty School-Lancaster
Lancaster, PA · Private for-profit · 85 students
$17,135—85%$25,073
Champ's Barber School
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$19,837—71%—
Cutting Edge Barber Academy
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Harrisburg Area Community College-Lancaster
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———$42,007

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.