Pacific Northwest College of Art vs American Conservatory Theater
Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) and American Conservatory Theater (ACT) are two esteemed institutions offering distinct educational experiences in the arts. PNCA, located in Portland, Oregon, is a private art and design college known for its rigorous fine arts programs, while ACT, based in San Francisco, California, is a renowned performing arts conservatory specializing in theater training. With acceptance rates of 85% and 25%, respectively, PNCA offers a more accessible admissions process compared to ACT's highly selective approach. While PNCA's student body primarily comprises undergraduate students pursuing degrees in visual arts, ACT caters to both undergraduate and graduate students seeking careers in theater and acting. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your artistic education.
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![]() American Conservatory Theater |
![]() Pacific Northwest College of Art |
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Overview |
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Location | San Francisco, California | Portland, Oregon |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 59.0% | |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | N/A | 97.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$90
|
$65 |
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 364 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 355 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 64 | |
Yield rate | 18.0% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $51,676 | $63,974 |
Average net price | $36,405 | |
Tuition | $30,235 | $41,768 |
Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $22,027 |
|
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $5,333 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,860 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
397
Men 29.0% Women 71.0% |
Graduate students |
13
Men 46.2% Women 53.8% |
84
Men 20.2% Women 79.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity | N/A |
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | N/A | 4.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 130 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | N/A | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 100.0% | 35.7% |
Dropout rate | N/A | 62.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Master's Degrees)
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Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (Master's Degrees)
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