UnisHub University Compass

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

0 · 0 reviews
Official Website Net Price Calculator
Table of Contents

About Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

In the heart of Lancaster's arts district, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is known for studio intensity and a critique culture that shapes ideas into real work. Faculty are working creatives; studies span fine arts, design, and digital media. Light-filled studios, maker and photo areas, digital labs, galleries, and a focused library support the making. Advising, counseling, tutoring, and career services are easy to reach.

Student life leans hands on, with clubs, pop up shows, visiting artists, and campus exhibitions that open to the community, especially on monthly arts nights. The vibe is collaborative, practical, a little scrappy in the best way. Career prep runs through portfolio reviews, internships with local studios and nonprofits, and connections across the regional creative scene. Lancaster adds walkable galleries, markets, murals, parks, and coffee fueled study spots.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location: 204 N Prince St, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17608, USA
Phone: +1 (800) 689-0379
Website: pcad.edu
Unit ID: 215053

Academic & Institutional

Control: Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation: NASAD
Length of Study: Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System: Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels: Bachelor's, Other Award
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research 4-Year Focus - Law
Campus Setting: Located in a small city (population under 100,000)
Tuition: In-state: $31,370 (Tuition $29,250 + Fee $2,120) · Out-of-state: $31,370 (Tuition $29,250 + Fee $2,120)
Student Profile:
Total Students: 323
Undergraduate: 312
Graduate/Other: 11
Male: 89 Female: 234
Applications:
Total Applicants: 677
Admitted: 311
Enrolled: 95
Acceptance: 45.9% Yield: 30.5%
Staff:
Total: 124 Full-time: 54 Part-time: 70

Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects

Explore degree programs offered at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in Pennsylvania. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.

How to use this guide:
Click on any academic field that interests you to expand and view available degree programs. Each program shows potential career paths, median salaries in Pennsylvania vs national averages, and job prospects for graduates. Perfect for answering "What can I do with my degree?" and salary expectations.
Arts (10)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
50.0401 Design and Visual Communications, General. (AltPostMSc)
A program in the applied visual arts that focuses on the general principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information, and packaging products, in digital and other formats to business and consumer audiences, and that may prepare individuals in any of the applied art media.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
15-1255 Web and Digital Interface Designers $111,450 $77,160 -$34,290 (-30.8%)
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $96,760 -$5,480 (-5.4%)
27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers $88,000 $80,390 -$7,610 (-8.6%)
27-1024 Graphic Designers $68,610 $49,720 -$18,890 (-27.5%)
27-1027 Set and Exhibit Designers $78,450 $51,950 -$26,500 (-33.8%)
27-1029 Designers, All Other $78,000 $69,180 -$8,820 (-11.3%)
50.0409 Graphic Design. (Cert2y+, AltPostMSc)
A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial concepts. Includes instruction in computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concepts sketching, technical drawing, color theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modeling, multimedia applications, communication skills and commercial art business operations.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
15-1255 Web and Digital Interface Designers $111,450 $77,160 -$34,290 (-30.8%)
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $96,760 -$5,480 (-5.4%)
27-1011 Art Directors $128,100 $89,180 -$38,920 (-30.4%)
27-1014 Special Effects Artists and Animators $110,110 $58,070 -$52,040 (-47.3%)
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $75,040 -$4,450 (-5.6%)
27-1024 Graphic Designers $68,610 $49,720 -$18,890 (-27.5%)
50.0410 Illustration. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to develop and execute interpretations of the concepts of authors and designers to specifications. Includes instruction in book illustration, fashion illustration, map illustration, rendering, exhibit preparation, textual layout, cartooning, and the use of various artistic techniques as requested by clients.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $96,760 -$5,480 (-5.4%)
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $75,040 -$4,450 (-5.6%)
27-1027 Set and Exhibit Designers $78,450 $51,950 -$26,500 (-33.8%)
27-1029 Designers, All Other $78,000 $69,180 -$8,820 (-11.3%)
50.0411 Game and Interactive Media Design. (Cert2y+)
A program that focuses on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment, including computer and video games, virtual environments, Internet applications, and other interactive media. Includes instruction in theory of games, turn-based games, real-time games, visual and interactive design, story development, animation, simulation, and programming.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
25-1199 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other $94,470 $71,860 -$22,610 (-23.9%)
27-1014 Special Effects Artists and Animators $110,110 $58,070 -$52,040 (-47.3%)
50.0499 Design and Applied Arts, Other. (Cert<2y, Cert2y+)
Any instructional program in design and applied arts not listed above.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
99-9999 NO MATCH N/A N/A N/A
50.0605 Photography. (Cert2y+)
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, and digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $96,760 -$5,480 (-5.4%)
27-4021 Photographers $55,650 N/A N/A
50.0702 Fine/Studio Arts, General. (Cert2y+)
A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images), theory of art, color theory, composition and perspective, anatomy, the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio, and art portfolio marketing.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $96,760 -$5,480 (-5.4%)
27-1013 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators $76,450 $63,670 -$12,780 (-16.7%)
27-1019 Artists and Related Workers, All Other $79,490 $75,040 -$4,450 (-5.6%)
50.1001 Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General. (AltPostMSc)
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage various aspects of the visual arts, performing arts, and entertainment media industries. Includes instruction in business and financial management, marketing and fund-raising, labor relations for the arts, event promotion and management, product and artist management, and applicable law.

Graduate Career Earnings in Pennsylvania

Average graduate salary for this degree:
SOC Code Occupation US National Pennsylvania Avg PA vs US
11-9199 Managers, All Other $149,890 $121,250 -$28,640 (-19.1%)
13-1011 Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes $165,600 $112,790 -$52,810 (-31.9%)
25-1121 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary $102,240 $96,760 -$5,480 (-5.4%)

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$46,755
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$46,755
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$31,370
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$31,370
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$12,535
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,650
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$1,200
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$3,500
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

26%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$11,333
Avg. Loan
$9,872
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,536
Additional
Students with Any Grant
64
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
49
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
27
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$6,771
Average amount of institutional grant awarded
Show more financial aid data

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

64%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
83%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$15,518 – $49,235
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$15,518 (25th %) $49,235 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $33,301
Median Salary After 6 Years
$23,638
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$33,301
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
51.9%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
66.2%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$27,000
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 34.1%
Middle 46.9%
High 70.9%
Repayment by Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD)

How much does it cost to attend Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD)?

The annual tuition at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) is $31,370 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $46,755 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,535 and books and supplies $1,650.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Pennsylvania College of Art and Design offer?

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) offers 13 academic programs across 1 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (10 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

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

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) has an 45.9% acceptance rate and a 30.5% yield rate, making it highly selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 677
  • Students admitted: 311
  • Students enrolled: 95

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $11,333 and average loans of $9,872.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,884
  • State/Local grants: $5,852
  • Institutional grants: $6,771
  • Federal loans: $5,536

The university supports 64 students with grants and 49 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates?

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) graduates earn a median salary of $23,638 after 6 years and $33,301 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $15,518 (25th percentile) to $49,235 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

Related Universities

Campus map for University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
34th & Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303
View Profile
Campus map for University of the Arts
University of the Arts
320 South Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102-4901
View Profile
Campus map for Cairn University, Langhorne
Cairn University, Langhorne
200 Manor Ave, Langhorne, PA 19047-2990
View Profile