Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA with Bluefield State University in Bluefield, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bluefield State University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (1,141 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is located in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design or Bluefield State University? 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 Bluefield State University than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($15,814 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield State University are 33.2% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($11,512 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 201.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $21,502 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Bluefield State University (about $13,774 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $18,376.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Bluefield State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students is 52.7% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($14,989 vs. $9,814).

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield State University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (3.13).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Bluefield State University (97.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and Bluefield State University? 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 Bluefield State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Bluefield State University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($31,800 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 30%)

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.