Peirce College vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

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

Peirce College is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (929 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Peirce College is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Peirce 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: Peirce College 13:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Peirce College vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Peirce 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 Peirce College than PAFA ($13,290 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peirce College are 52.8% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($8,800 vs. $18,662).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 196.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peirce College (about $29,540 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.1% higher at PAFA than at Peirce College (about $29,540 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Peirce College 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 361.5% larger than aid received by Peirce College students ($24,785 vs. $5,370).

Peirce College vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

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

• Peirce College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Peirce College - Open admission; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Peirce College vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Peirce 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 Peirce College's (27%).
• Graduates from Peirce College earn a median of about $29,800 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts graduates have a $9,625 lower median loan debt than Peirce College graduates ($26,500 vs. $36,125).
• Among borrowers, PAFA graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peirce College graduates ($274 vs. $373).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peirce College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 32%)

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.