Fisher College vs. PAFA

Fisher College and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Fisher College
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: Fisher College. Average net price is $28,596 vs $33,323 at PAFA.
  • Graduation: Fisher College 48% vs PAFA 73%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fisher College $36,000 vs PAFA $22,000 (median).
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Key differences

Fisher College Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Acceptance rate
Fisher College more selective
Fisher College70.7%
PAFA-
SAT range (middle 50%)
Fisher College higher
Fisher College800-1070
PAFA-
Average net price
Fisher College $4,727 less
Fisher College$28,596
PAFA$33,323
In-state tuition
Fisher College $8,911 less
Fisher College$35,689
PAFA$44,600
Out-of-state tuition
Fisher College $8,911 less
Fisher College$35,689
PAFA$44,600
Graduation rate
PAFA +25 pts
Fisher College48%
PAFA73%
Median earnings (10 years)
Fisher College +$14,000
Fisher College$36,000
PAFA$22,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fisher College 3,527
  • PAFA -
  • Admitted
  • Fisher College 2,493
  • PAFA -
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fisher College 70.7%
  • PAFA
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fisher College 6.1%
  • PAFA
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fisher College 940
  • PAFA
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fisher College 19
  • PAFA
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fisher College 2.72
  • PAFA -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fisher College B-
  • PAFA -
  • Admissions standards
  • Fisher College Extremely Easy
  • PAFA Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Fisher College Low
  • PAFA
  • SAT range
  • Fisher College 800-1070
  • PAFA
  • ACT range
  • Fisher College 15-24
  • PAFA
  • Submit test scores
  • Fisher College Test-free
  • PAFA Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Fisher College
  • PAFA Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fisher College $35,689
  • PAFA $44,600
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fisher College $35,689
  • PAFA $44,600
  • Room & board
  • Fisher College $18,041
  • PAFA $18,662
  • Average net price
  • Fisher College $28,596
  • PAFA $33,323
  • Average grant aid
  • Fisher College $25,379
  • PAFA $24,785
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fisher College 94%
  • PAFA 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fisher College 48%
  • PAFA 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fisher College $36,000
  • PAFA $22,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fisher College 45%
  • PAFA 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fisher College $19,187
  • PAFA $26,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Fisher College $198
  • PAFA $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fisher College 14:1
  • PAFA 2:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fisher College
    • Business (49%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Legal Professions (2%)
  • PAFA
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Location
  • Fisher College Boston, MA
  • PAFA Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Fisher College Large City
  • PAFA Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fisher College 1,652
  • PAFA 41
  • Type
  • Fisher College Private 4 Year
  • PAFA Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fisher College #792
  • PAFA

Comparable Facts

Compare Fisher College in Boston, MA with Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Fisher College is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (1,652 students vs. 41 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fisher College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
  • Fisher College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fisher College 14:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fisher College are 3.3% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($18,041 vs. $18,662).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 25% higher at PAFA than at Fisher College (about $8,911 more per year; $44,600 vs. $35,689).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts than at Fisher College (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fisher College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students ($25,379 vs. $24,785).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Fisher College and PAFA.
  • Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fisher College graduates have a $7,313 lower median loan debt than PAFA graduates ($19,187 vs. $26,500).
  • Among borrowers, Fisher College graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PAFA graduates ($198 vs. $274).
  • More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher College students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 45%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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