Cheyney University of Pennsylvania vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

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

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (617 students vs. 41 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is located in Cheyney, PA (Large Suburban setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 15:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 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 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania than PAFA ($14,207 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania are 41% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($11,016 vs. $18,662).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 309% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (about $33,696 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $10,904.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.4% higher at PAFA than at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (about $25,730 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $18,870.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts than at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students is 101.7% larger than aid received by Cheyney University of Pennsylvania students ($24,785 vs. $12,290).

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 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 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania - Open admission; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Mar 31, 2027; PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 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 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania's (24%).
• Graduates from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,700 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania graduates ($26,500 vs. $33,500).
• Among borrowers, PAFA graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cheyney University of Pennsylvania graduates ($274 vs. $346).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cheyney University of Pennsylvania students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 19%)

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.