JCSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson C Smith University 12:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

JCSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCSU or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Johnson C Smith University than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($19,705 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 50.1% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($8,600 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 50.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than JCSU (about $10,850 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.9% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Johnson C Smith University (about $10,850 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Johnson C Smith University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students ($15,238 vs. $14,989).

JCSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCSU or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and JCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCSU - Test-free; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.13) than students at JCSU (2.48).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at JCSU vs. 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

JCSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCSU and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Johnson C Smith University's (37%).
• Graduates from Johnson C Smith University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,300 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have a $5,050 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($279 vs. $331).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 26%)

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.