Russell Sage College vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

Compare Russell Sage College in Troy, NY with Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Russell Sage College is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (2,790 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Russell Sage College is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Russell Sage 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: Russell Sage College 10:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Russell Sage College vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Russell Sage College or PAFA? 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 Russell Sage College than PAFA ($21,046 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Russell Sage College are 24.7% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($14,048 vs. $18,662).
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Russell Sage College (about $6,436 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at PAFA than at Russell Sage College (about $6,436 more per year; $44,600.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Russell Sage College as at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Russell Sage College students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students ($29,295 vs. $24,785).

Russell Sage College vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Russell Sage College or PAFA? 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 PAFA and Russell Sage College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Russell Sage College - Test-free; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Russell Sage College vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Russell Sage College and PAFA? 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 Academy of the Fine Arts's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Russell Sage College's (58%).
• Graduates from Russell Sage College earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,100 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Russell Sage College graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than PAFA graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Russell Sage College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PAFA graduates ($240 vs. $274).
• More PAFA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Russell Sage College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.