Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI)
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) and San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) stand out as prominent institutions offering specialized art education. While both colleges share a commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression, they differ in several key aspects. PCAD boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring artists. SFAI, on the other hand, has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. In terms of popular majors, PCAD offers a wider range of programs, including animation, graphic design, and illustration, while SFAI focuses primarily on fine arts disciplines such as painting, sculpture, and photography. Additionally, the student body demographics and graduation rates vary between the two institutions, reflecting their unique characteristics and educational approaches. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into these differences and discover which college aligns best with your artistic aspirations and academic goals.
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![]() Pennsylvania College of Art and Design |
![]() San Francisco Art Institute |
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Overview |
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Location | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | San Francisco, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 75.0% | |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 51.3% | 94.7% |
Application fees | $40 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 187 | 169 |
Total number of admissions given out | 96 | 160 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 41 | |
Yield rate | 42.7% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $41,038 | |
Average net price | $26,452 | |
Tuition | $26,750 | |
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 $11,808 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
88.0%
Average amount $5,897 |
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Students taking out private loans |
26.0%
Average amount $22,629 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
228
Men 28.5% Women 71.5% |
42
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
Graduate students | N/A |
28
Men 32.1% Women 67.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | N/A | N/A |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 102 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 4:1 |
Institutional accreditation | National Association of Schools of Arts and Design | N/A |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 57.8% | 31.8% |
Dropout rate | 16.9% | 68.2% |
Transferred out | 25.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | N/A |
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
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