Skip to content

Central Penn College vs Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Central Penn College is a private for-profit college in Summerdale, PA, and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private college in Lancaster, PA. Central Penn College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 99% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Central Penn College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,953 a year against $30,083 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. About 66% of students graduate at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, compared with 43% at Central Penn College. Ten years after enrolling, Central Penn College alumni earn a median of about $45,370, against $33,301 for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

Central Penn College

Summerdale, PA · Private (for-profit)

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Lancaster, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private (for-profit)
Private
Location
Summerdale, PA
Lancaster, PA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
662
400
Acceptance rate
18%
99%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.2–3.7
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
$30,083
Full cost / yr
$27,116
$43,815
In-state tuition
$19,854
$32,150
Out-of-state tuition
$19,854
$32,150
Application fee
Not reported
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,859
$24,547
$30k - $48k
$19,164
$24,115
$48k - $75k
$17,011
$26,576
$75k - $110k
$18,973
$30,876
Over $110k
$23,656
$37,851
Outcomes
Graduation rate
43%
66%
Freshman retention
65%
85%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$40,798
$23,638
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,370
$33,301
Median debt at graduation
$23,194
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
49%
47%
First-generation students
51%
Not reported
International students
4%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

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 College of Art and Design harder to get into?
Central Penn College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 99% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. 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 College of Art and Design?
Central Penn College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,953 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,083 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. 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 College of Art and Design?
Before aid, Central Penn College costs about $27,116 a year and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design about $43,815. 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 College of Art and Design?
Central Penn College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $15,859 there, against about $24,547 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. 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 College of Art and Design?
Central Penn College is the larger of the two, with about 662 undergraduates against 400 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
Does Central Penn College or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design have a better graduation rate?
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has the higher graduation rate, at about 66% against 43% at Central Penn College.
Do graduates of Central Penn College or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design earn more?
Central Penn College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,370 ten years after enrolling, against about $33,301 for Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Central Penn College and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design require SAT or ACT scores?
Central Penn College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school