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Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Lancaster, PA·Private·pcad.edu/

Campus Identity

Lake Life

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a small private nonprofit college in Lancaster, PA. Approximately 400 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 99% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Aldred, just 9 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 33 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 33/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a small private nonprofit college in Lancaster, PA. Approximately 400 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 99% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Aldred, just 9 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 33 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 33/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

99%
Acceptance Rate
397 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$32,150
2024-25 Tuition
$30,083
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$17,230
Room & Board
400
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
32%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
69%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity99% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a under 1,000, urban school. The campus is 33 miles from Roundtop Mountain Resort.

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Urban setting

Weather

Warm Climate

47°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Roundtop Mountain Resort, 33 miles away with 9 lifts and 103 skiable acres. All are within 48 miles of campus.

33 mi away
103 skiable acres9 lifts
47 mi away
86 skiable acres6 lifts
Spring Mountain Ski Area

Pennsylvania

48 mi away
45 skiable acres6 lifts

Lake Life Campus

Lake Aldred is 9 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Aldred

Lake access within 9.0 miles

9 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Lancaster, PA

Lancaster has a cool climate, with winters averaging 31°F in Jan and summers peaking around 76°F in Jul.

31°Jan33°Feb41°Mar53°Apr62°May71°Jun76°Jul74°Aug67°Sep55°Oct44°Nov36°Dec

Station: LANCASTER 2 NE FILT PLANT · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in PA earns a composite safety score of 33/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

33/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety312845
31/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
28/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
45/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$32,150
Fees
$1,700
Room & Board
$17,230
Total
$51,080
$30,083avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

4 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's
36 grads/yr$38,275
Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's
8 grads/yr
Film/Video and Photographic ArtsBachelor's
7 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Design and Applied Arts
Bachelor's36 grads$38,275
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's8 grads
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Bachelor's7 grads
Design and Applied Arts
Certificate grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Pennsylvania College of Art and Design located?

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is located in Lancaster, PA. The main campus address is 204 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

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

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has an acceptance rate of 99%, making it accessible. Out of 397 applicants, 394 were admitted in the most recent year. 400 students enrolled.

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

For the 2024-25 academic year, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design charges $32,150/year in tuition. Including room and board ($17,230/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $28,450/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $30,083/year — what students actually pay. Use Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Is Pennsylvania College of Art and Design the right fit for me?

Whether Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (99% admit rate), avg net price ($30,083/year after aid), campus culture in Lancaster, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Pennsylvania College of Art and Design against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Lancaster, PA
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Certificates
School Year Weather
Warm · 47°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
33/100
Nearest Airport
Lancaster, PA (LNS) · 6 mialso MDT (26 mi), RDG (30 mi)

Location

Lancaster, PA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.