Pacific Northwest College of Art vs San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI)
Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) and San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) stand as prominent institutions in the realm of art education, each offering unique experiences and opportunities for aspiring artists. While both colleges share a commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression, they differ in several key aspects. PNCA boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students seeking an art education. SFAI, on the other hand, has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. Additionally, the two colleges vary in their popular majors, with PNCA offering programs in visual studies, art history, and graphic design, while SFAI focuses on fine arts, photography, and new media. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the differences between these two esteemed art colleges, considering factors such as student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to find the institution that best aligns with your artistic aspirations and educational goals.
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![]() Pacific Northwest College of Art |
![]() San Francisco Art Institute |
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Overview |
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Location | Portland, Oregon | San Francisco, California |
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% | |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 97.5% | 94.7% |
Application fees | $65 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$85
|
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 | 169 |
Total number of admissions given out | 355 | 160 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 64 | |
Yield rate | 18.0% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $63,974 | |
Average net price | $36,405 | |
Tuition | $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 |
397
Men 29.0% Women 71.0% |
42
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
Graduate students |
84
Men 20.2% Women 79.8% |
28
Men 32.1% Women 67.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 4.2% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 130 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
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 | 10:1 | 4:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | N/A |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 35.7% | 31.8% |
Dropout rate | 62.9% | 68.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
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