Undergraduate Admissions
*PAFA accepts applications past May 1st on a rolling basis.*
Email the Dean of Admissions, Ryan Burton-Romero with any questions. rbr@pafa.edu
Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a four-year degree program that pairs a creatively focused liberal arts education with demanding studio art training in one of our six areas of study. Students graduate with the foundational skills, intellectual context, discipline, and creativity needed for a lifelong pursuit of making art.
PAFA-Penn BFA
Since 1929, PAFA and the University of Pennsylvania have offered a unique Bachelor of Fine Arts program which combines PAFA’s rigorous fine arts training and a final year of liberal arts through Penn, culminating with earning a BFA degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Certificate Programs
Two one-year Certificate Programs, Fine Arts Foundations, and Studio, offer an immersive art-making experience. Whether students are looking to develop their artistic voice, build experience in the studio or prepare for future art careers, these programs will elevate their creative and technical artistic skills.
Apply Now
Select your preferred application:
¹For the Studio and Fine Art Foundations Certificate Programs.
²Penn portion of the application. See below for additional application information.
There is an application fee of $60 which is paid online when submitting your application. PAFA does accept fee waivers from the CollegeBoard, NACAC, and School Lunch Program. Students experiencing financial hardship can also request a fee waiver by contacting the Admissions Office.
Application Deadlines
Application Type | Deadline | Start |
| Regular Decision (Rolling Admission) | August 1 (Open) | Fall Semester |
* Applications are open, and scholarships are still available *
Pursue Your Artistic Vision
Located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, PAFA is a fine arts college with a diverse, close-knit community of 200 students and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. PAFA's academic campus provides 11 floors of classrooms, studios, workshops, galleries, and performance spaces for students to learn, create, and grow. Undergraduates pursue four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees or a one-year certificate, to extend their study further.
At PAFA, you gain the tools and knowledge you need for creating a successful, rewarding, and lifelong career in the arts.
Start Your Application! Step One:
Picture Yourself at PAFA
The Admissions and Financial Aid staff at PAFA help you during all stages of the application and enrollment process.
Email: admissions@pafa.edu
Telephone: (215) 972-7625
Fax: (215) 569-0153
Financial Aid: finaid@pafa.edu