University of the District of Columbia vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the District of Columbia is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (4,202 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• University of the District of Columbia 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: University of the District of Columbia 8:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of the District of Columbia or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 the District of Columbia than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($12,895 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the District of Columbia are 0% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($17,224 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 467.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the District of Columbia (about $26,488 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $5,662.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.9% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at University of the District of Columbia (about $19,636 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $12,514.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of the District of Columbia as at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students is 90.1% larger than aid received by University of the District of Columbia students ($14,989 vs. $7,883).

University of the District of Columbia vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia.

• University of the District of Columbia reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of the District of Columbia - Open admission; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of the District of Columbia 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).

• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of the District of Columbia's (8%).
• Graduates from University of the District of Columbia earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of the District of Columbia graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of the District of Columbia students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 28%)

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.