Hampshire College vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hampshire College is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (844 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

Hampshire College vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire College 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 Hampshire College than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($27,895 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampshire College are 7.4% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($15,958 vs. $17,230).
• Hampshire College is 83.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (about $26,746 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $32,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.2% higher at Hampshire College than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (about $26,746 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $32,150.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 207.9% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students ($46,145 vs. $14,989).

Hampshire College vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hampshire College 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 Hampshire College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Hampshire College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

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

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire College 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from Hampshire College 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, Hampshire College graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($23,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($243 vs. $279).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 58%)

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.