PAFA vs. University of Valley Forge

Comparable Facts

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

University of Valley Forge is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (589 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); University of Valley Forge is in Phoenixville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Valley Forge is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1; University of Valley Forge 12:1.

PAFA vs. University of Valley Forge Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PAFA or University of Valley Forge? 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 University of Valley Forge than PAFA ($27,083 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Valley Forge are 37% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($11,750 vs. $18,662).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 76.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Valley Forge (about $19,360 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $25,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.7% higher at PAFA than at University of Valley Forge (about $19,360 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $25,240.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts as at University of Valley Forge (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students is 34.9% larger than aid received by University of Valley Forge students ($24,785 vs. $18,369).

PAFA vs. University of Valley Forge Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PAFA or University of Valley Forge? 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 University of Valley Forge and PAFA.

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

PAFA vs. University of Valley Forge Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PAFA and University of Valley Forge? 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 University of Valley Forge's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Valley Forge earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,700 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than University of Valley Forge graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PAFA graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Valley Forge graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Valley Forge students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

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.