Organizer Information
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D) is a private professional art college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offering undergraduate degrees and specialized credentials in art, design, creative writing, photography, animation, and related creative disciplines. The college provides studio-based education alongside liberal arts coursework and professional preparation.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate
- Degrees Offered: BFA, BA, AFA, AA
- Academic Fields: Fine Art, Animation & Game Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography & Video, Design Thinking, Live Experience Design & Production, Creative Writing
- Relevant Programs: BFA in Animation & Game Art; BFA in Creative Writing; BFA in Fine Art; BFA in Graphic Design; BFA in Illustration; BFA in Live Experience Design & Production; BFA in Photography & Video; BA in Design Thinking; AFA programs in Animation & Game Art, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography & Video; AA in Design Thinking and Live Experience Design & Production
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Rolling admissions
- Application Deadline: Fall priority financial-aid consideration: 1 April; applications after 31 July are reviewed on a space-available, case-by-case basis
- Start of Studies: Fall; Spring entry is available for eligible transfer applicants on a case-by-case basis
- Application Fee: $0
- Tuition: $32,406 per year
- Funding: Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study are available to eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- PCA&D's undergraduate offerings cover studio art, visual communication, design, photography and video, animation and game development, live-event production, design thinking, and creative writing. The college also permits interdisciplinary creative work within its portfolio process.
- Portfolio requirements are program-specific. A portfolio is required for Animation & Game Art, Design Thinking, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, and Photography & Video. Creative Writing requires a writing portfolio, while Live Experience Design & Production does not require a portfolio and instead includes an admissions interview.
General Eligibility
- First-year applicants must hold a high school diploma or an accepted high-school equivalency such as a GED or HiSET. Applicants without a high school diploma or equivalency are not considered. Applicants submit official secondary-school transcripts and, where applicable, college transcripts.
- PCA&D accepts international applicants. International applicants must meet additional English-language and documentation requirements.
- For transfer applicants, admission and transfer-credit evaluation depend on previous coursework, the intended program, and the submitted academic and portfolio materials.
Language Requirements
Applicants whose primary language is not English must provide official evidence of written and spoken English proficiency. PCA&D accepts several forms of evidence, including:
- TOEFL: minimum 550 paper-based or 79–80 internet-based
- IELTS: minimum 6.0
- Duolingo: minimum 100
- ELS Certificate of Completion: Level 112
- An English Proficiency Certificate
- Official transcripts demonstrating at least two full years of study at a school or university where English was the primary language of instruction
International applicants must also provide certified English translations of academic records that are not in English.
Application Fee
| Applicant Type | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| First-year | $0 |
| Transfer | $0 |
PCA&D states that applying through either its institutional application or Common App is free.
Tuition
| Study Level / Billing | Tuition | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time undergraduate, 12–18 credits per semester | $32,406 per year | Comprehensive fee: $2,100/year |
| Part-time, 7–11 credits | $1,351 per credit | Comprehensive fee: $900/semester |
| Part-time, 1–6 credits | $1,351 per credit | Comprehensive fee: $600/semester; applicable $40 laboratory fee per qualifying course |
- The 2026–27 tuition rate is $32,406 for 12–18 credits per semester across two semesters. A $100 annual student-housing application fee applies to students applying for PCA&D housing.
- Accepted BFA applicants must also pay a $200 tuition deposit to secure their place; the deposit is credited toward first-semester tuition.
Funding & Financial Support
- PCA&D provides institutional scholarships, non-repayable grants, educational loans, and limited work-study opportunities. FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal and applicable state and institutional need-based assistance.
- International students should note that federal regulations do not permit federal funds to be awarded to foreign students.
University Services & Academic Support
- Students have access to the Learning Commons, Writing Center, Center for Teaching & Learning, Career Services, faculty and alumni studio mentors, tutoring, research support, and professional-development resources. Career Services provides internship and job support, résumé and interview assistance, and career advising.
- Students in BFA and BA programs are required to complete an internship, apprenticeship, fellowship, or mentorship experience as part of graduation requirements.
Application Requirements
- Institutional application or Common App
- Official high-school transcript
- Official college transcripts, where applicable
- High-school equivalency documentation where applicable
- Program-specific portfolio or writing portfolio
- Personal statement of 250–500 words when applying through the PCA&D application rather than Common App
Portfolio requirements are program-specific. Studio-major applicants submit 8–12 recent, original works. Creative Writing applicants submit 10–20 pages of original writing. Live Experience Design & Production applicants participate in an interview instead of submitting a required portfolio.
Letters of recommendation are optional rather than required. SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission review, although applicants may submit them.
International applicants must additionally provide English-proficiency evidence and certified English translations of academic records when required. Accepted international students must demonstrate sufficient financial support before immigration paperwork is processed.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Opens: Rolling admissions
- Priority Financial Aid Date: 1 April
- Space-Available Review After: 31 July
- Start of Studies: Fall semester
Location
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design — Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Additional Details
PCA&D's admissions process is primarily undergraduate and portfolio-oriented, but portfolio requirements differ substantially by program. Live Experience Design & Production uses an interview in place of a required portfolio, while Creative Writing uses a writing portfolio rather than a visual-art portfolio.
International applicants should begin the process early because English-test reports, certified academic translations, financial documentation, and subsequent F-1 visa procedures may require additional time.