PAFA School vs SVA NYC
When it comes to art education, two prominent institutions that often come to mind are the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and the School of Visual Arts (SVA). While both schools offer a comprehensive range of programs in the visual arts, there are some key differences that set them apart. PAFA, with an acceptance rate of 50%, is a more selective institution compared to SVA's 75% acceptance rate. PAFA's student body is predominantly made up of undergraduates, while SVA has a larger graduate student population. In terms of popular majors, PAFA focuses primarily on fine arts, while SVA offers a wider range of programs including design, film, and photography. To help you make an informed decision about your art education, we've compiled a detailed comparison table that delves into these differences and more, including graduation rates, tuition fees, and notable alumni.
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![]() Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts |
![]() School of Visual Arts |
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Overview |
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Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New York, New York |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (For Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 84.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.6% | 71.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$80
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SAT range | N/A | 1140 - 1363 |
ACT range | N/A | 22 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 14.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 122 | 4,208 |
Total number of admissions given out | 102 | 3,000 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 10 | 771 |
Yield rate | 9.8% | 25.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,804 | $74,968 |
Average net price | $29,925 | $51,634 |
Tuition | $38,926 | $45,000 |
Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $29,528 |
63.0%
Average amount $16,551 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
61.0%
Average amount $5,864 |
24.0%
Average amount $5,267 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
7.0%
Average amount $32,503 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
121
Men 24.0% Women 76.0% |
3,529
Men 27.4% Women 72.6% |
Graduate students |
57
Men 21.1% Women 78.9% |
582
Men 24.9% Women 75.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 65.5% |
International students | 6.7% | 53.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 37 | 1,092 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York New Jersey California Florida Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 4:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.2% | 73.9% |
Dropout rate | 33.3% | 13.6% |
Transferred out | 16.7% | 11.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
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Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
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