Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Norfolk State University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (6,053 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); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($9,124 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 32.7% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($11,591 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 215.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $21,970 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.3% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Norfolk State University (about $10,468 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $21,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Norfolk State University (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students ($15,056 vs. $14,989).

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.13) than students at NSU (2.9).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Norfolk State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 27%)

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.