Moore College of Art and Design: 53.2% Acceptance Rate

53.2%Acceptance

$50,279Tuition

390Students

63%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,839Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Moore College of Art and Design

Moore College is america's first and only visual arts college exclusively for women. The school has championed female artists since 1848, creating a supportive environment where 390 students pursue fine arts, fashion design, and illustration in the heart of Philadelphia. Students benefit from an intimate 8:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures personalized attention in studios and critiques.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $43,369 after aid, which represents a significant investment for art school. Graduates earn a median of $37,839 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $26,000. The 91.9% employment rate shows strong career outcomes, though monthly loan payments of $276 reflect the reality of art school costs. About 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves students from diverse economic backgrounds.

Moore's all-female environment creates a unique active rare in higher education. The 63.4% six-year graduation rate aligns with specialized art programs that often take students longer to complete due to intensive studio requirements. The school draws students nationally, with 45% coming from Pennsylvania and the remainder traveling from across the country to join this distinctive community of women artists.

Academics & Faculty

Moore College specializes exclusively in art and design education for women, continuing a tradition that began in 1848. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means intensive mentorship in studio-based learning. With just 390 students, professors know each student's artistic development personally. The college is particularly well-known for its fashion design, illustration, and fine arts programs. Students work directly with practicing artists and designers who shape Philadelphia's creative scene. The 63% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of professional art training. Moore's curriculum blends traditional techniques with digital innovation. The intimate environment fosters creative risk-taking that larger art schools cannot match.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 23.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 62.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 63.4%
Retention Rate: 81.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,839

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Design and Applied Arts.	Bachelor	$31,314
Fine and Studio Arts.	Bachelor	$24,267
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.	Bachelor	$24,035

View all 12 programs →

Campus Life

Moore College sits in the heart of Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts, where students walk past major theaters and concert halls daily. The 390 students experience all four seasons, bundling up for snowy January critiques and sweating through humid August orientations. About 69% of students live on campus in the school's residence halls, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other's artistic style.

The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors remember your name and your latest project struggles. Weekend life revolves around Philadelphia's rich arts scene, with students catching First Friday gallery walks in Old City or sketching at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The all-women environment fosters collaborative rather than competitive studio culture. Students often work late into the night in shared studio spaces, discussing everything from color theory to career anxieties. The 81% retention rate reflects how students bond over shared artistic passions and the unique experience of attending America's first and oldest art college for women.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 271 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1848

Campus Safety (2023)

8 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Robbery	0	0	0	5
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0	3

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 28°–42°F
July Avg: 70°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 48.5"
Annual Snowfall: 15.0"

Student Demographics

Moore College draws women from across the country who are serious about art and design careers. More than half of students come from outside Pennsylvania, reflecting the school's national reputation as a leading women's art institution. The student body includes significant numbers of Black and Hispanic artists, showing the college's commitment to diversifying the creative fields. With over 40% of students receiving Pell Grants, Moore serves many first-generation college students and those from working-class backgrounds who see art education as their path to economic mobility.

Men: 0.0%
Women: 100.0%
White: 51.5%
Black: 16.4%
Hispanic: 7.7%
Asian: 4.1%
In-State Students: 44.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 40.9%

Location

Moore College of Art and Design sits in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's active arts district. The 390-student campus draws 55% of its students from outside Pennsylvania, placing them in America's sixth-largest city. Philadelphia offers strong museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and countless galleries within walking distance. The city's affordable cost of living contrasts with the school's $73,535 total attendance cost. Students benefit from Philadelphia's thriving creative economy and extensive public transit system connecting them to New York City, just 95 miles northeast. The urban setting provides internship opportunities that help explain the school's 92% employment rate after graduation. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Moore College of Art and Design with similar schools in the region.

Address: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1179

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,839
Median Earnings (5 years): $41,788
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 60.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $276/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $26,000

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Moore College of Art and Design accepts 53.18% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1200. This all-women's art school has been dedicated to helping female artists since 1848, making it one of the oldest women's art institutions in the country.

How much does Moore College of Art and Design cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $43,369 after aid, though families earning under $30,000 pay around $39,174. With total costs reaching $73,535 annually, graduates typically carry $26,000 in debt with monthly loan payments of $276.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Moore College of Art and Design?

Moore maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio with only 390 total students enrolled. This intimate setting allows for personalized mentorship in specialized art and design programs that have shaped women artists for over 175 years.

What are the career outcomes for Moore College of Art and Design graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $37,839 ten years after graduation, with a 91.9% employment rate. The 63.40% six-year graduation rate reflects the intensive nature of professional art training in Philadelphia's active creative community.

Where do students live at Moore College of Art and Design?

On-campus housing accommodates 271 students with room and board costing $18,756 annually. The campus sits in Philadelphia's downtown arts district, with 44.78% of students coming from Pennsylvania and the rest drawn from across the nation.

Is Moore College of Art and Design really only for women?

Yes, Moore maintains its founding mission as a women's college with 100% female enrollment. The school's commitment to women's art education has remained unchanged since 1848, making it a rare institution in today's educational landscape.