Pacific Northwest College of Art vs SVA NYC
Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) and School of Visual Arts (SVA) stand out as prominent institutions for aspiring artists and designers. While both offer a vibrant creative environment and a strong foundation in the arts, they differ in several key aspects. PNCA, located in Portland, Oregon, boasts a smaller student body and a more intimate learning experience, with an acceptance rate of 75%. SVA, situated in the heart of New York City, attracts a larger and more diverse student population, with an acceptance rate of 50%. Both institutions offer a wide range of programs, but PNCA is known for its strengths in fine arts, while SVA excels in design and technology. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these esteemed art schools and make an informed decision that aligns with your artistic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pacific Northwest College of Art |
![]() School of Visual Arts |
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Overview |
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Location | Portland, Oregon | New York, New York |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (For Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 59.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 97.5% | 71.3% |
Application fees | $65 |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$80
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SAT range | N/A | 1140 - 1363 |
ACT range | N/A | 22 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 14.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 364 | 4,208 |
Total number of admissions given out | 355 | 3,000 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 64 | 771 |
Yield rate | 18.0% | 25.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $63,974 | $74,968 |
Average net price | $36,405 | $51,634 |
Tuition | $41,768 | $45,000 |
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 |
63.0%
Average amount $16,551 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $5,333 |
24.0%
Average amount $5,267 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,860 |
7.0%
Average amount $32,503 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
397
Men 29.0% Women 71.0% |
3,529
Men 27.4% Women 72.6% |
Graduate students |
84
Men 20.2% Women 79.8% |
582
Men 24.9% Women 75.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 65.5% |
International students | 4.2% | 53.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 130 | 1,092 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York New Jersey California Florida Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 35.7% | 73.9% |
Dropout rate | 62.9% | 13.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 11.5% |
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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Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degrees)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Master's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
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