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CollegeGrad School

Pacific Northwest College of Art

  • 4 Year
  • Portland, OR
  • 77 reviews
    How to Apply
    B-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      C+
    2. Value
      C
    3. Diversity
      A
    4. Campus
      B+
    5. Athletics
      NG
    6. Party Scene
      NG
    7. Professors
      B-
    8. Location
      A+
    9. Dorms
      C+
    10. Campus Food
      NG
    11. Student Life
      A
    12. Safety
      A-
    View Full Report Card
    PNCA is a private college located in Portland, Oregon. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 378 undergraduate students. The PNCA acceptance rate is 95%. Popular majors include Illustration, Graphic Design, and Photography. Graduating 31% of students, PNCA alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $20,800.
    About Pacific Northwest College of Art...
    Athletic Division
    —
    Athletic Conference
    —
    Address
    511 NW Broadway
    Portland, OR 97209
    Website
    pnca.edu
    View College Rankings

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    95%
    Application Deadline
    January 31
    SAT Range
    —
    ACT Range
    —
    Application Fee
    $0
    SAT/ACT
    Considered but not required
    High School GPA
    Required
    Early Decision/Early Action
    —

    Test Prep

    SAT and ACT Prep Options
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    Cost

    Net Price
    $33,265/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $16,267/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    100%

    Academics

    Professors
    B-
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    10:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    86%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.7 responses
    82%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.11 responses
    45%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.11 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Illustration
      22 Graduates
    • Graphic Design
      13 Graduates
    • Photography
      8 Graduates
    • Studio Arts
      8 Graduates
    • Sculpture
      4 Graduates
    • Multimedia
      3 Graduates
    • Painting
      3 Graduates
    • Printmaking
      3 Graduates
    • Professional and Technical Writing
      1 Graduate

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    378Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    40
    Undergrads Over 25
    18%
    Pell Grant
    39%
    Varsity Athletes
    —
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 5 responses
    Report
    • Art Kids
      60%
    • Art kids, hipsters
      20%
    • Hipsters
      20%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    84%
    Poll
    100%
    of students say they don't have Greek life.11 responses
    Poll
    100%
    of students say no one pays attention to varsity sports.9 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 5 responses
    Report
    • Inspirational and full of Discovery
      40%
    • Unpredictable
      40%
    • Interesting and Informative
      20%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $27,400/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    31%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    87%
    National
    83%
    --
    We don't have enough responses to know if students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.Take our survey
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    Pacific Northwest College of Art Reviews

    77 reviews
    All Categories
    It's ok. It basically has to be at this point. With Marylhurst and Now the Oregon College of Art and Craft closing, PNCA is the last bastion of Art in Portland. Of course there is Reed and PSU, but neither really offer as intense of focus on the capabilities of art and design in the world today. PNCA is very clunky, there are a lot of kinks to work out within this school, and every step back is very worrisome to those who believe the school might fail. Nevertheless, it can improve as long as there's support for it which is mostly dependent on the people of Portland, which also is in the midst of growing.
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    PNCA is a great art school for motivated students. The teachers are all excellent, and the environment is very safe and accepting. If you're looking for an "easy out" in art school, don't come here. We don't mess around. My only complaint has to do with their grading system and online homeroom site. The grading system lacks accountability. Other than that I think there is a culture of respect and growth, and if you're looking for a place to learn to be a professional artist, this is a good place to do that.
    Pacific Northwest College of Art is a world class art school with some of the best staff, studios and facilities I've ever seen. My only wish is that it was a bit cheaper!