Private not-for-profit

Small

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT RangeN/A

ACT RangeN/A

Average GPAN/A

Acceptance Rate99.2%

PCA&D’s 99.2% acceptance rate means admission is likely within reach for prepared applicants, so your main strategy should be choosing whether a test score adds useful evidence to a creative application. Because the school is test-optional, submit SAT or ACT results only if they are a clear strength, and pay close attention to cost, fit, and support once you are admitted.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design facts and stats

Quick Facts

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design is a small urban institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 414 students. PCA&D has an 85% freshman retention rate, which is above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 69%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1.

Location

Lancaster, PA

Undergrad Enrollment414

Freshman Retention85%

SettingUrban

Student to Faculty Ratio9:1

Graduation Rate69%

Test PolicyTest-optional

Key Pennsylvania College of Art & Design application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

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Early Action

—

Early Decision

—

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Coming soon

Test dates

SAT test dates

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

November 7, 2026

Registration deadline: October 23, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit scores to test-optional PCA&D, take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and the fall for superscore-focused retakes. Confirm PCA&D’s application deadline, and make your last fall retake the one whose scores will arrive before that date.

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What you'll actually pay

PCA&D is a private not-for-profit, so the same $32,150 tuition and fees rate applies to all students. With 90% of students receiving aid and an average merit award of $3,267, financial aid can help offset the listed cost.

Out-of-State Tuition$32,150

Tuition and Fees$32,150

Room and Board$15,154

Average Merit Award$3,267

Application FeeN/A

Students on Aid90%

Average Aid Package$15,765

Average Debt at Grad$44,911

At Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, tuition and fees plus room and board total about $47,304 per year. Aid is common, with 90% of students receiving assistance and an average aid package of $15,765. The average merit award is $3,267. Graduates leave with an average debt of $44,911.