Fisher College vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

Compare Fisher 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.

Fisher College is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (1,652 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fisher College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Fisher 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: Fisher College 14:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Fisher College vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Fisher College than PAFA ($28,596 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fisher College are 3.3% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($18,041 vs. $18,662).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 25% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fisher College (about $8,911 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $35,689.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25% higher at PAFA than at Fisher College (about $8,911 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $35,689.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts than at Fisher College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fisher College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students ($25,379 vs. $24,785).

Fisher College vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher 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 Fisher College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 800/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher College - Test-free; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Fisher College vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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 Fisher College's (48%).
• Graduates from Fisher College earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fisher College graduates have a $7,313 lower median loan debt than PAFA graduates ($19,187 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Fisher College graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PAFA graduates ($198 vs. $274).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 45%)

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.