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Central Penn College vs Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA, and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a private university in Philadelphia, PA. Central Penn College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 88% at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Central Penn College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,953 a year against $42,454 at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. About 63% of students graduate at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, Central Penn College alumni earn a median of about $45,370, against $29,881 for Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Philadelphia, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private (for-profit)
Private
Location
Summerdale, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
662
23
Acceptance rate
18%
88%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
660–910
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
13–17
Not reported
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,953
$42,454
Full cost / yr
$27,116
$66,106
In-state tuition
$19,854
$44,600
Out-of-state tuition
$19,854
$44,600
Application fee
Not reported
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,859
$39,928
$30k - $48k
$19,164
$42,301
$48k - $75k
$17,011
$42,893
$75k - $110k
$18,973
$44,893
Over $110k
$23,656
$46,702
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
63%
Freshman retention
65%
0%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,798
$24,229
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,370
$29,881
Median debt at graduation
$23,194
$22,309
Student body
Pell grant recipients
49%
35%
First-generation students
51%
Not reported
International students
4%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Feb 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Central Penn College or Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts harder to get into?
Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 88% at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Central Penn College or Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $42,454 at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Central Penn College and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts about $66,106. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Central Penn College or Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
Central Penn College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,859 there, against about $39,928 at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Central Penn College or Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
Central Penn College is the larger of the two, with about 662 undergraduates against 23 at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Does Central Penn College or Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts have a better graduation rate?
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has the higher graduation rate, at about 63% against 43% at Central Penn College.
Do graduates of Central Penn College or Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts earn more?
Central Penn College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,370 ten years after enrolling, against about $29,881 for Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Central Penn College and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts require SAT or ACT scores?
Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

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