Lesley University vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

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

Lesley University is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Lesley University 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: Lesley University 10:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Lesley University vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University 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 Lesley University than PAFA ($32,587 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts are 6.3% lower than at Lesley University ($18,662 vs. $19,920).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 30.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $10,344 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at PAFA than at Lesley University (about $10,344 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University as at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students is 29.3% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($24,785 vs. $19,167).

Lesley University vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University 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 Lesley University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Lesley University vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Lesley University earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,180 lower median loan debt than PAFA graduates ($24,320 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PAFA graduates ($251 vs. $274).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)

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.