2024 Best Colleges with Design and Visual Communications Degrees in Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  1,339 reviews

Sophomore: As a University of Pennsylvania student, my experience has been transformative. The academic rigor and diverse courses allowed me to explore passions and develop critical thinking. Accessible and knowledgeable faculty shaped my journey, while the vibrant campus life fostered a sense of community among students from diverse backgrounds. I appreciate the emphasis on research opportunities, collaborating with renowned scholars, and Philadelphia's cultural scene, offering internships and networking. However, addressing the cost of attendance with more financial aid options and scholarships is essential for equal access. Moreover, enhancing inclusivity and support for underrepresented groups would strengthen our community further. Overall, UPenn has provided exceptional opportunities, but improvements can make it an even more accessible and inclusive institution for all students.... Read 1,339 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $14,578

• SAT range 1480-1570

• Pittsburgh, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,468 reviews

Sophomore: I'm currently considering a shift to the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts Degree (BXA). CMU's versatility in offering such a unique blend of art and tech truly speaks to its pioneering spirit in education. It’s not every day you find a university that allows you to bridge two seemingly disparate fields in such a cohesive manner. However, like all institutions, there's always room for improvement. I'd love to see more inter-departmental collaborations. Given the vast array of talent and expertise at CMU, I believe fostering more interdisciplinary projects can lead to even more groundbreaking work. All in all, Carnegie Mellon has given me an environment where I can grow academically while also nurturing my personal interests. If you're looking for a place that challenges you, offers diverse programs, and fosters a sense of community, CMU might just be the place for you!... Read 1,468 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 14%

• Net price $37,450

• SAT range 1480-1560

• Bethlehem, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  925 reviews

Sophomore: I love the sense of community feel to the school. I like the medium size of the school where you don't feel like a number. The academics are pretty strong, especially the engineering and the CSB programs. Lehigh is also known to have a really good alumni network and really good financial aid packages for those who want need-based opportunities. It does get pretty cold but you'll get used to it. However, it is a slight culture shock that many rich people attend the school but the social scene I feel is fine but is centered around Greek Life, however, you'll find the people you like! The surrounding area is okay, I feel the Northside of Bethlehem is better but not at all a dangerous area, still pretty safe for the most part, just be aware of your surroundings. I am also a minority too and I feel that the political and racial climate is fine, but there is still some microaggressions one can face but I never have felt unsafe. Overall, a really great school and worth it for job outlook!... Read 925 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 46%

• Net price $31,539

• SAT range 1290-1490

• University Park, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  7,501 reviews

Alum: I love nearly everything about this school! The sports are great, there are major entertainment events, art and religion are honored, there are over 1,000 student organizations, and I have had incredible professors consistently throughout my years (although peers in other majors did not always say this). In the area, there is hiking, skiing, several summer festivals, several thrift stores, and a high proportion of restaurants with different ethnic cuisines. Recommendation for change are prioritizing updates to dorm buildings and increasing accessibility to groceries downtown, as this is where a large number of students live (without their cars). It has many international students, but is otherwise limited in diversity. It mostly reflects the state/region, so I do not see this as something that necessarily needs to change.... Read 7,501 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 56%

• Net price $26,151

• SAT range 1160-1360

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  3,149 reviews

Graduate Student: Drexel University has some awesome program directors who are committed to your success and will help you navigate their system by providing warm -handoffs to other departments if they cannot answer your questions directly. They have the student in mind, and provide tuition discounts with partnering organizations you are employed with. They have a great reputation for success and I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my goal of becoming a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, and address the issue of maternal mortality in the U.S., and to be a Drexel University Dragon!... Read 3,149 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $26,076

• SAT range 1210-1410

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  1,078 reviews

Freshman: I absolutely love Jefferson! I love how motivating and nice the professors are. The faculty is always there to help when you're confused, and the resources provided to students are amazing. But I think the best part of Jefferson is the community. The people here are so nice and welcoming, it feels like you always have someone to talk to or something to do when you're bored. The campus is also beautiful, especially in the fall!... Read 1,078 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $24,227

• SAT range 1130-1320

• Slippery Rock, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  1,602 reviews

Junior: Slippery Rock has been an amazing college so far and I have enjoyed my time here. I transferred into their program as a second-semester sophomore. They worked with me to accept and transfer all of my existing credits and provided me with two scholarships for my first year. Their campus accommodations including food, housing, and leisure have been diverse and easily accessible. I would love for Slippery Rock to provide more parking. They also have extensive on-campus healthcare options, and a gym for wellness opportunities. Due to the size of the campus, it is easy to make friends and interact with teachers on a one-on-one basis. However, the campus is still large enough that there's always someone new to meet, and the ability to avoid people you don't like! For a state school, the price point is perfect and I've loved my time here so far.... Read 1,602 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $12,364

• SAT range 970-1170

• Meadville, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.42 out of 5  940 reviews

Junior: A college with small classes offers numerous advantages for students. Firstly, smaller class sizes foster a more personalized learning experience. With fewer students, professors can provide individual attention, facilitating better understanding and engagement. Students can actively participate in discussions and receive prompt feedback, enhancing their academic growth. Secondly, small classes promote stronger relationships between students and professors. This enables students to build connections, seek guidance, and benefit from mentorship opportunities. Additionally, small class sizes encourage collaboration and peer-to-peer learning, as students have more opportunities to interact and share ideas. Overall, a college with small classes cultivates an inclusive and supportive environment, enhancing learning outcomes and student success.... Read 940 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 75%

• Net price $25,419

• SAT range 1140-1350

• Altoona, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  949 reviews

Freshman: For my specific degree, most of my classes take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Due to this, my schedule on those days is rather busy (3-6 classes on those days). However, this has been balanced out by only having one class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, this does not seem to be as common of a problem for my fellow classmates. There is a wide variety of classes offered at this campus, which allows the students to pursue their personal interests or seek out minors that they may not have known about beforehand. The professors and other students on campus are all very nice, and there are always events and clubs available for the students to attend!... Read 949 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $21,947

• SAT range 1000-1180

• Monaca, PA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  206 reviews

Sophomore: CCBC is great. The counseling department and all staff really want you to succeed! They all seem to truly care about each student as an individual. When I was having a lot of trouble personally, financially and academically the counseling staff and professors did everything they could to help me work through it and come out on top! They have tons of resources for students from financial aid to tutoring and everything in between.... Read 206 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,900

• SAT range —

• Moon Township, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  1,168 reviews

Freshman: RMU College was a truly exceptional institution that left an indelible mark on my life and academic journey. From the moment I stepped onto the campus, I was greeted by a vibrant and inclusive community that embraced diversity and fostered an environment conducive to personal and intellectual growth. The faculty at RMU College were not only experts in their respective fields but also passionate mentors dedicated to nurturing the potential of each student. Their unwavering support and encouragement empowered me to explore new areas of interest and challenge myself beyond my comfort zone. Overall, RMU College was more than an educational institution; it was a second home that fostered personal growth, shaped my character, and prepared me for a future full of promise and possibilities. I am grateful for the profound impact it had on my life, and the memories forged there will remain with me forever.... Read 1,168 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $23,183

• SAT range 1040-1230

• Pittsburgh, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  330 reviews

Senior: La Roche is a nice school, especially to keep up with your faith. Very diverse university with students around the world such as the Caribbean, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia (just to name a few). There are a community of coaches, Academic Support Services, and professors who all are willing to help you if you put forth the effort. From writing papers to finding internships, the La Roche Community gave me the support I needed to achieve academically and socially, as it provides that sense of family away from family.... Read 330 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 98%

• Net price $23,334

• SAT range 930-1160

• Millersville, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  1,519 reviews

Junior: My overall experience at Millersville University has been great! The faculty, staff, students, and everyone in the community gave me a great sense of belonging. Student engagement, clubs/organizations, programs, and events have all contributed to a fun college experience. Overall, the quality of education is great and tuition is quite affordable compared to other institutions. To top it all off, a fun fact about our current president is that he is the king of a tribe in Africa.... Read 1,519 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $17,995

• SAT range 1000-1220

• Huntingdon, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  896 reviews

Niche User: As a parent of a Juniata student, the experience has been excellent! The administration and professors really care about the students. There are many beloved traditions--from Mountain Day, to Madrigal, Lobsterfest, and more. Professors go out of their way to help students succeed. There are also many opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, travel, and more. This is also a college where the faculty, administration and students are truly a community! It's not uncommon to be invited to a professor's home for dinner with other students or to bake holiday cookies. The alumni network is strong--with former students willing to bend over backwards to help current students network for internships, first jobs, etc. Many students graduate with great opportunities lined up--whether it's a first job or grad school. An excellent place to get an education!... Read 896 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 74%

• Net price $26,493

• SAT range —

• Youngwood, PA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  374 reviews

Sophomore: WCCC is in my opinion a great option. My experience there was an overall solid experience. The majority of the professors I had in my first year were amazing. It is an entirely different feel than high school because they actually care about you. The classrooms are normally only 15-30 people which helps you connect with other students and the teacher more. Furthermore, it is really cheap compared to other places. My yearly tuition cost was no more than 6000. The only bad experience I have from this place is being overwhelmed from working at the same time. So if you do plan on working while taking classes, take a little less classes, trust me it is worth having one extra semester. In conclusion, WCCC is an amazing place to start out with college. It is nice to ease into college while still being with my parents to help me out when needed. It is also great for figuring out what you want to do because of the cheap classes. Overall I highly recommend this place.... Read 374 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,798

• SAT range —

• Harrisburg, PA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  1,052 reviews

Alum: This college provides me with a great learning experience— whether that was learning new course material, being able to ask questions and have them answered thoughtfully, or learn my own work flow. As an art major, sticking with any college through the pandemic seemed like it was going to be tricky, but with HACC, the experience was better than I had thought it would be. I really appreciate that the professors were passionate about what they were teaching and shared life experiences throughout the courses. I appreciate the facilities that were provided to learn in, all the while being able to actually afford college. Being half online, and half in person, I would say that the strictly online courses gave very minimal chances to get to know the professors. However I do appreciate the inclusion of remote courses after the format during the pandemic. I am very thankful for Hacc, and had a very pleasant experience earning my associates degree there, even through a very rough time!... Read 1,052 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,147

• SAT range —

• East Stroudsburg, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  1,082 reviews

Other: I am an incoming freshman for the 2023/24 year. I toured many colleges in the North East Region but decided on ESU for several reasons. From my first visit I knew I was home but held off making my decision for a few weeks. The accepted student day and the orientation on June 6th confirmed my decision. ESU is a medium size college but seems like a small home town. I cannot wait to start. If you have not decided definitely take a look at ESU, you wont be disappointed. Warriors Rock!... Read 1,082 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $16,674

• SAT range 960-1150

• Beaver Falls, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  730 reviews

Alum: It is a wonderful and small campus, which is exactly what I needed. I had some of the most incredible professors, and learned so much about myself and my own beliefs and goals in life. It is highly reformed Presbyterian, which doesn’t line up with me at all, but they encouraged me to figure out my own views instead of having to conform to theirs. I was a Youth Ministries major and loved the program! It’s a very safe campus, and the only real complaint I have is how horrible the sports are. The rugby team was a blast, but I refused other sports because of poor quality. My freshman year was awesome, and I felt very accepted and included, which is rare for an autistic person.... Read 730 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $19,895

• SAT range 1020-1240