Boston Architectural College vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

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

Boston Architectural College is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (853 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston Architectural College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Boston Architectural College 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: Boston Architectural College 9:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Boston Architectural College vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boston Architectural College 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 Boston Architectural College than PAFA ($26,590 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston Architectural College are 14.3% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($16,000 vs. $18,662).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 62.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Boston Architectural College (about $17,130 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $27,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at PAFA than at Boston Architectural College (about $17,130 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $27,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts than at Boston Architectural College (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students is 80.2% larger than aid received by Boston Architectural College students ($24,785 vs. $13,753).

Boston Architectural College vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boston Architectural College or PAFA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PAFA and Boston Architectural College.

• Boston Architectural College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boston Architectural College - Open admission; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Boston Architectural College vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Boston Architectural College and PAFA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Boston Architectural College's (9%).
• Graduates from Boston Architectural College earn a median of about $27,500 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts graduates have a $13,037 lower median loan debt than Boston Architectural College graduates ($26,500 vs. $39,537).
• Among borrowers, PAFA graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Boston Architectural College graduates ($274 vs. $408).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boston Architectural College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 47%)

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.