About Pacific Northwest College of Art

Founded in 1909, Pacific Northwest College of Art. is a college. Located in Oregon, which is a city setting in Oregon, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 403 full time undergraduate students, and 75 full time graduate students.

The Pacific Northwest College of Art Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 25 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Pacific Northwest College of Art include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate93%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at PNCA are considered Less Selective, with ,4% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 26 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Pacific Northwest College of Art.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
38%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
50%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
25%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
75%
“I feel extremely safe”
100%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
100%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
13%
“Available in class”
25%
“They keep regular office hours”
63%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
88%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
0%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
38%
“There might be people who do”
63%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
38%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
50%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
25%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
75%
“I feel extremely safe”
100%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
100%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
13%
“Available in class”
25%
“They keep regular office hours”
63%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
88%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
0%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
38%
“There might be people who do”
63%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Pacific Northwest College of Art REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    8 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    10 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    9 Students rated campus food 3.5 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    12 Students rated campus facilities 3.9 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    12 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 67 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    12 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    12 Students rated local services 4.5 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    12 Students rated academics 3.7 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Pacific Northwest College of Art?

9 Students rated Pacific Northwest College of Art

Cheyenne - 11/05/2020

I am a freshman and I love it. Things are very different this year due to COVID, so I can't really accurately answer all of these questions, but overall, it's a beautiful and engaging school! The teachers are engaged and excited and willing to help in whatever way they can :-)

Arin

PNCA is a school of opportunity, so long as you have the drive to be successful then there is no doubt that you will be. There are always visiting artists, galleries on campus or near by, and a friendly face to have artful conversations with. Coming from a different college where I felt very alienated, I have now never felt so welcome and supported. I haven't had a bad experience yet and I look forward to graduating from PNCA!

Faith

In the year so far that I have attended PNCA I have loved my classes and professors, but there is an overall lack of professionalism in both the students and the campus facilities. The students are apathetic during critiques, and don't seem to take any classes seriously, which can be extremely frustrating when working with them. The campus facilities are laughable. Anytime I have had to contact financial aid, student life, student records, or even go to the print lab it has been like pulling teeth. I cannot understand how I am paying as much money as I do to have to play twenty questions to get a clear response out of any of the student facilities. There is also a complete disregard for non-traditional students. There has been no acknowledgement from anyone I have met regarding students who may also be working, which has been frustrating. As a student who is both enrolled full time and works full time, I have felt alienated and frustrated that my concerns are not being addressed.

Melisa

PNCA has a wonderful staff to help you with everything that you need and even a school President, President Tuski, who has his hours open for all students. If you want to pursue a career in the arts, this school is highly recommended.

Pacific Northwest College of Art FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Pacific Northwest College of Art?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Pacific Northwest College of Art is 93%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell myself that the most important thing you can do is to believe in success and pursue your dreams. Focus on what is in front of you, and push yourself toward what it is you want in life. You can do anything that you put your mind to. College is a new experience, which you should soak up 117{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Find your passions, what it is that makes you happy and work hard for it. do not allow anything to get in your way, create, concentrate and make your dreams your goals. give yourself the time to rest, this is just a step in the path of life's desiny; you can only fail by not trying. Be dedicated and commited to your goals by putting forth the effort for the greater good. Your passion is to help others; you are drivien to be of service wherever it's needed. Your intentions for going to college is to gain knowledge and experience so you can give back to the community.

    Read all  9 answers
  3. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The amazing support of the teachers and other students. I have learned so many traits that I did not have before going to school. Pacific Nortwest College of arts has given me new tools to use in the Art world.

    Read all  5 answers
  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    My school is still very new to me. It has a lot of gallerys to show work.

    Read all  2 answers
  5. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are often quiet but interested in discussing various subjects during class.

    Read all  2 answers
  6. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    PNCA is great. There's a lot of opportunity to build connections and meet actual working artists. There are a weekly artist's lectures during the semester and a lot of studio classes bring in guest critics. The administration just implemented a mentoring program that provides every student with a faculty advisor from their department. Basically you meet with your mentor at least twice a semester and talk about whatever you want.This is a HUGE help if you have concerns about one of your classes or need help finding direction in your work. The staff works really hard to make sure every student gets indiviual attention.

    Read all  2 answers
  7. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    How annoying art school students can be. Then again, I guess everywhere has annoying students.

    Read all  2 answers
  8. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    I don't believe that there is anything chronically BAD about my school. If I consider all of the factors which make up the various components of my school, I am able to see that it has a very strong core with a passion for growth. When I say growth, I don't necessarily mean growth in number of students or square feet of building size. The Pacific Northwest College of Art strives for a unified student body, but a diverse one; a neat and professional environment, but an artistically enhancing one. All facts considering, it is a wonderful school.

    Read all  2 answers
  9. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best known for its creative atmosphere and its non-traditional educational setting, as well as its general role in the Portland Arts community. Many of community members consider PNCA to be an elite and prestigious school, and they expect students to meet creative challenges head on and produce desireable work, as well as become active members of the artistic community.

    Read all  1 answers
  10. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    There are tons of extracarriculars.There's a guest speaker at least once a week, free passes to TBA (the Time Based Arts festival) every Fall, lunch time performances in the commons, free life drawing twice a week, free yoga, beginning and and of the year parties, gallery openings on campus (free booze if you're old enough), and a bunch of clubs. The main campus building is open until 2am most night and the studio building is open 24 hours. There's always a variety of skinny, sleep deprived kids in various states of drunkeness and undress wandering around covered in paint and plaster. Expect to see at least one classmate naked per term. Art kids love to find excuses to take their clothes off, especially if they're into perfomance. I've been at PNCA for almost two years, and I find myself walking to class thinking, "I don't know that guy's name, but I've totally seen his peen".

    Read all  1 answers
  11. What's unique about your campus?

    I consider the best part of my school is how community based it is. I like this because everyone, professors and students are supportive and there is a large art community in Portland that PNCA is a part of.

    Read all  1 answers
  12. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The stereotype is probably rich hipster kids. That's semi-accurate. If you want to know what's art school is really like, art student owl is pretty spot on.

    Read all  1 answers
  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing that I find associated with my school is the internal feel of needing to break out and branch out. Don't get me wrong, I love my school and I love Portland! But throughout my education I am being taught to face the world head on and tackle challenges, and on some days I want to jump into a new situation and see what challenges await! This will give me useful skills for the future, but I just get so stir crazy! On the up-side, it allows me to deeply dream about study-abroad.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

69%

female

31%

male

403

Total Undergrad Enrollment

75

Total Grad Students

63%

Out-Of-State

35%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

36

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

17%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
5%
% White or Caucasian
62%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Pacific Northwest College of Art receive some sort of financial aid. 34% were awarded federal grants. While 87% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$34,500

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,000

Books and Supplies

$12,230

Room and Board

47,730

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$34,303
$30 - $48K
$32,186
$48 - $75K
$36,050
$75 - $110K
$32,643
$110K & UP
$37,787

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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