Keystone College vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

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

Keystone College is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (952 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Keystone College is located in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Keystone 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: Keystone College 12:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Keystone College vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Keystone 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 Keystone College than PAFA ($21,952 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keystone College are 32.5% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($12,600 vs. $18,662).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 143.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Keystone College (about $26,300 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.7% higher at PAFA than at Keystone College (about $26,300 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts than at Keystone College (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students is 144.9% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($24,785 vs. $10,119).

Keystone College vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Keystone College 910/1130.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Keystone College - Test optional; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Keystone College vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Keystone 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 Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Keystone College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,400 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keystone College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than PAFA graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Keystone College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PAFA graduates ($268 vs. $274).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Keystone College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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.