TESC vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas Edison State University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (7,544 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Edison State University is located in Trenton, NJ (Small City setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Thomas Edison State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Edison State University 20:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

TESC vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TESC or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Edison State University are 70% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($5,170 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 370.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than TESC (about $25,312 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $6,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 263% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Thomas Edison State University (about $23,294 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $8,856.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Thomas Edison State University (100% vs. 0%).

TESC vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

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

• Thomas Edison State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TESC - Open admission; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.

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

How do outcomes compare for TESC and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Edison State University earn a median of about $29,100 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,800 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Edison State University graduates have a $16,250 lower median loan debt than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($10,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TESC graduates have an estimated $168 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($111 vs. $279).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TESC students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.