At $29,266/yr net price, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates earn $33,301/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,266 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $117,064 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,301/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-699/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $24,506/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,698/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $30,147/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,900/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,035/yr |
The Risk Factor
63.8% of students at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design charges a net price near $29,000 a year while graduates earn a median of about $33,000 ten years out. That gap is the core problem. You would pay close to a full year's post-graduation salary in net cost for every year enrolled, and your median debt of $27,000 lands right at your expected first-decade annual earnings. For a private art college in Lancaster, the return here is weak.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed, so treat the single median earnings figure as your best guide. Art and design fields in the Lancaster regional market do not command the salaries that would make this price work. When your typical earnings barely clear the debt you take on, the math does not favor borrowing heavily to attend.
The specific risk is the combination of high cost and low earnings. A 63.8% graduation rate means a real share of you leave without a degree, and if you borrow and do not finish, you carry the debt with none of the earnings upside. The 82.5% retention rate is the one bright spot, so most of you make it past year one.
The net price tiers add a twist. Families earning under $48,000 pay about $24,500 to $24,700, while families over $110,000 pay around $35,000. The lowest-income tier gets the biggest discount, but even $24,500 a year is steep against these earnings.
This school fits you if art and design is a firm commitment, you can minimize borrowing, and family income sits in the lower tiers where the discount is largest. If you need your degree to reliably pay back loans, look at cheaper public options or programs with stronger earnings data before committing here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania College of Art and Design worth the cost?
With graduates earning a median of $33,301 after 10 years and a net price of $29,266 annually, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design shows poor financial returns. The earnings barely exceed what many make without a college degree, making this investment questionable for most students.
What is the job market like for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates?
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates face challenging job prospects with median earnings of just $33,301 ten years after graduation. Art and design fields typically offer lower starting salaries and irregular income, which explains these below-average returns.
How much debt do Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students graduate with?
Students at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduate with a median debt of $27,000. While this debt load is relatively manageable, the low post-graduation earnings of $33,301 make repayment difficult and extend the payback period significantly.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a 63.80% graduation rate, meaning more than one-third of students don't finish their degree. This completion rate is concerning given the specialized nature of the programs and the financial investment required.