Assumption University vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

Compare Assumption University in Worcester, MA with Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Assumption University is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (2,037 students vs. 41 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Assumption University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Assumption University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Assumption University 11:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Assumption University vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Assumption University or PAFA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Assumption University than PAFA ($29,748 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Assumption University are 15.6% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($15,752 vs. $18,662).
• Assumption University is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PAFA (about $6,756 more per year; $51,356.00 vs. $44,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at Assumption University than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (about $6,756 more per year; $51,356.00 vs. $44,600.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Assumption University as at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Assumption University students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students ($35,905 vs. $24,785).

Assumption University vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Assumption University or PAFA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PAFA and Assumption University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Assumption University - Test-free; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Assumption University Feb 15, 2027; PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Assumption University vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Assumption University and PAFA? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Assumption University's (67%).
• Graduates from Assumption University earn a median of about $35,800 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,800 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Assumption University graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PAFA graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Assumption University graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Assumption University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PAFA students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.