Degree Dividend
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All-State Career School vs Pennsylvania College of Art and Design: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Essington PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lancaster PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but All-State Career School comes closer — median earnings $38,495 against a $72,820 total, vs $33,301 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAll-State Career SchoolPennsylvania College of Art and Design
Net price / yr$18,205$30,083
Total net cost$72,820$120,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,495$33,301
Median debt$6,333$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$270,120-$421,512

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, All-State Career School or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?

All-State Career School, at $18,205 a year after aid versus $30,083 — a gap of $11,878 a year, or $47,512 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do All-State Career School or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates earn more?

All-State Career School graduates report a median $38,495 ten years after entry, $5,194 more than the $33,301 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, All-State Career School or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?

All-State Career School: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, a difference of $20,667. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, against 53% at All-State Career School. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

All-State Career School vs Pennsylvania College of Art and Design: frequently asked questions

Is All-State Career School or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design a better value?
All-State Career School comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, All-State Career School or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design?
All-State Career School: $18,205/yr net price after aid versus $30,083/yr at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design — a difference of $11,878 a year, or about $47,512 over four years.
Do All-State Career School or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates earn more?
All-State Career School graduates earn a median $38,495 ten years after entry, versus $33,301 at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design — a $5,194 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.