The average acceptance rate at PAFA over the past 10 years is 90.20%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 87.50%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly more competitive to gain admission to PAFA in 2025. The acceptance rate at PAFA is relatively high, giving applicants a greater chance of admission.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 17.10%, and the 2024 yield is 10.71%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 45.02% from 2015 to 2024.
The number of PAFA applicants increased by 4.92% (9 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 9-year period, applicants decreased by 3.52% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 87.50%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that PAFA has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 10.71%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at PAFA. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, PAFA received approximately 192 applications, admitted 168 students, and enrolled 18 students. The application volume has remained relatively stable, suggesting consistent institutional appeal and recruitment effectiveness.
PAFA 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at PAFA over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 90.20%, while the most recent rate stands at 87.50%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 87.50%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 77.70% and for women is 81.86%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at PAFA have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2024).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 97.99% | 98.21% | 97.90% |
| 2016-17 | 92.40% -5.59% |
93.33% -4.88% |
92.06% -5.84% |
| 2017-18 | 92.70% 0.30% |
87.23% -6.10% |
94.66% 2.59% |
| 2018-19 | 90.17% -2.52% |
80.49% -6.75% |
93.18% -1.47% |
| 2019-20 | 88.37% -1.80% |
79.41% -1.08% |
90.58% -2.60% |
| 2020-21 | 87.79% -0.58% |
83.33% 3.92% |
88.97% -1.61% |
| 2021-22 | 83.61% -4.18% |
77.78% -5.56% |
84.62% -4.36% |
| 2022-23 | 91.26% 7.65% |
89.74% 11.97% |
91.74% 7.12% |
| 2023-24 | 87.50% -3.76% |
87.50% -2.24% |
84.87% -6.86% |
| Average | 90.20% | 86.34% | 90.95% |
PAFA has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 19.49% in 2015 to 10.71% in 2024, representing a 45.02% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 17.10%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at PAFA from 2015 to 2024. The admission yield has decreased by 45.02% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 19.49% | 21.82% | 18.57% |
| 2016-17 | 24.05% 4.56% |
30.95% 9.13% |
21.55% 2.98% |
| 2017-18 | 23.03% -1.02% |
14.63% -16.32% |
25.81% 4.25% |
| 2018-19 | 21.79% -1.24% |
21.21% 6.58% |
21.95% -3.86% |
| 2019-20 | 21.05% -0.74% |
18.52% -2.69% |
21.60% -0.35% |
| 2020-21 | 12.58% -8.47% |
13.33% -5.19% |
12.40% -9.20% |
| 2021-22 | 9.80% -2.78% |
14.29% 0.95% |
9.09% -3.31% |
| 2022-23 | 11.38% 1.57% |
28.57% 14.29% |
8.11% -0.98% |
| 2023-24 | 10.71% -0.66% |
11.90% -16.67% |
10.89% 2.78% |
| Average | 17.10% | 19.47% | 16.66% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 174, the average number of admitted is 157, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 27.
The number of PAFA applicants increased by 4.92% (9 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 9-year period, applicants decreased by 3.52% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 2015 to 2024.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 199 | 195 | 38 |
| 2016-17 | 171 -14.07% |
158 -18.97% |
38 |
| 2017-18 | 178 4.09% |
165 4.43% |
38 |
| 2018-19 | 173 -2.81% |
156 -5.45% |
34 -10.53% |
| 2019-20 | 172 -0.58% |
152 -2.56% |
32 -5.88% |
| 2020-21 | 172 | 151 -0.66% |
19 -40.63% |
| 2021-22 | 122 -29.07% |
102 -32.45% |
10 -47.37% |
| 2022-23 | 183 50.00% |
167 63.73% |
19 90.00% |
| 2023-24 | 192 4.92% |
168 0.60% |
18 -5.26% |
| Average | 174 | 157 | 27 |
The following table compares Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts | 87.50% | - | -100.00% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 5.40% | 5.87% | -8.01% |
| Drexel University | 79.44% | 77.53% | 2.46% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 11.66% | 11.40% | 2.28% |
| Villanova University | 26.98% | 25.12% | 7.40% |
| Eastern University | 90.77% | 93.62% | -3.04% |
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