About Arcadia University

Founded in 1853, Arcadia University. is a Private college. Located in Pennsylvania, which is a city setting in Pennsylvania, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 2,473 full time undergraduate students, and 1,312 full time graduate students.

The Arcadia University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 170 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Arcadia University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate63%
Application Deadline
Application Fee30
SAT Range1000-1210
ACT Range23-28

Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,29% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 7 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

91% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 64% were in the top quarter, and 32% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Arcadia University.

3%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
29%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
46%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
31%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
66%
“I feel extremely safe”
23%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
55%
“We bought the gear”
23%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
37%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
40%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
37%
“They keep regular office hours”
54%
“They”re always available”
86%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
12%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
53%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
35%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
14%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
46%
“There might be people who do”
40%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
3%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
29%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
46%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
31%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
66%
“I feel extremely safe”
23%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
55%
“We bought the gear”
23%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
37%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
40%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
37%
“They keep regular office hours”
54%
“They”re always available”
86%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
12%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
53%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
35%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
14%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
46%
“There might be people who do”
40%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    102 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    66 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    106 Students rated campus food 2.7 stars. 5 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    108 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    108 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 60 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    108 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 27 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    109 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 29 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    109 Students rated academics 3.5 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.

Arcadia University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Arcadia University?

41 Students rated Arcadia University

Michelle - 06/26/2023

Arcadia Univeristy is not good well rounded school for students who are looking for great student life opportunities, meal plans, and housing. The academics is probably the only thing is worth it here. However, it really depends on the student's chosen major.

Andrea - 01/17/2023

So far, I think the program is great. They begin you day one, thinking like a physical therapist and throw you right into real life examples and experiences. Instructors and advisors are easy to reach and usually get back to you within 24 hours if not less.

Annabelle - 09/17/2020

Arcadia University is my home away from home. It is a small enough campus to where you recognize everyone you pass on your way to class, but you might not know their name. You always find someone from your hometown, even if you didn't know them back home. Study Abroad is a must, because they make it so easy, affordable, and fun. Professors and classes are amazing. Professors are always available when you need them, and class sizes are super small which makes for engaging conversations and discussions, instead of crowded lectures. The food could be better, but it's definitely not the worst campus food I have ever eaten. Dorms are average, but the RA's are awesome! I am sad to be graduating this year, with my last goodbye to campus being hurriedly removing all my belongings from my dorm, but I know that I had the best college experience because of Arcadia. I made lifelong friends and learned more about myself through clubs and activities, then I ever would have expected. Arcadia is 10/10.

Courtney - 06/29/2020

I love it here. As someone who has been to three other colleges prior to Arcadia, I finally feel like I belong somewhere. Everything is close by and the class sizes are small which I really like because the professors care about their students. Arcadia University is the place for me!

Arcadia University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Arcadia University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Arcadia University is 63%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.

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

    Dear Kiara- I know you are stressed about your future right now. Heck, you've always been stressed about your future and that's not a character trait that is likely to change. However, it might sooth you to know that you are making the right choices. Life is takng you where you need to be, even if the path is unexpected. I know that right now you are really only concerned with the 'Big Name' schools. They look good to employers, but are they what you need? You choice in education should not be based on a name. It should be based on the school that will give you the most it can. Yes, Big Name School X and Y can give you a pretty diploma with their names scrawelled in cursive next to their school seal, but believe it or not, Arcadia University will end up providing for you more than you can ever imagine. Stop thinking about schools based on how they will look to others and start thinking about what they can do for you. Besides, the big name schools cost a fortune anyways! Would you rather have debt or a school that helps you grow?

    Read all 102 answers

  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Arcadia University is an intimate educational facility where teachers know their student's names without referring to their roll books.

    Read all 24 answers

  4. What's unique about your campus?

    The location, it is a bus ride away from the city, so there is always something to do and see.

    Read all 21 answers

  5. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    I find the most frustrating thing about Arcadia being that there are not a lot of activites off campus in this area other than traveling to the city.

    Read all 20 answers

  6. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Arcadia is a university that not only provides a diverse and caring community but it also provides the environment in order to grow. College gives young adults the chance to mature and adapt to the world and Arcadia is one of the best Universities for that with students from around the country as well as other countries. Not only will one acquire a valuable education at Arcadia but one will also acquire knowledge about other countries and the people who live there. Arcadia University is one of the best study abroad universities in the country and I love it.

    Read all 19 answers

  7. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about Arcadia is the lack of communication with faculty, staff, departments, and students. Most of the time, departments, faculty/staff, and students keep to themselves. If there is an issue, it takes a while for issues to be addressed. Not to say that the employees and student don't do their work, because they do, it's the lack of communication from department to department that causes issues.

    Read all 19 answers

  8. Describe the students at your school.

    Alot are very loud liberals who dont really know what they're talking about; theres alot of kids who havent really learned anything and just repeat things they've heard on tv; but there are some who are really great but its like any campus-theres good and bad students here.

    Read all 19 answers

  9. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Something that my school does that many other Universities do not is give its students personal attention. All schools claim they provide this, but Arcadia truly holds itself to that promise. There are so few students and the classes are so small, that you actually get to know your teacher and to them you are more than just another face in a large lecture hall. Teachers, advisors and even President Tobey Oxholm himself takes a personal interest in you and helps guide you towards the path that will help you accomplish your life goals.

    Read all 16 answers

  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known how difficult it is to become social when you do not live on campus. All of the extra-curricular activities I wanted to be involved in have meetings at 10 or 11 o'clock at night, and when you're a commuter student, you do not want to drive all the way to campus that late at night for a mere 20 minute meeting, only to have to drive all the way back home and get to sleep soon enough for class the next day.

    Read all 15 answers

  11. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    The castle!

    Read all 14 answers

  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    There is really no "type" of person that would not fit in here. There is a very diverse student body, and I am personally friends with many different kinds of people. My only concern would be for those looking for greek life. Arcadia does not tolerate any fraternities or sororities, and we do not have a football team. So if those are big determining factors Arcadia is not the best place for you.

    Read all 14 answers

  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone that is looking for a small personal environment, both academically and socially. You will make friends easily here and we have a very diverse mixture of students, considering there is such a small population. You will also build very good one on one relationships with professors which is extremely beneficial when receiving a college education.

    Read all 12 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I's a great school for study abroad. For example a freshmen preview in various locations nationally and globally. I would change the whole social life of the campus. It is lacking immensely. Too small. Whenever ever I say I go to Arcadia people ask me "what?" or "where is that?" basically no one has heard of it, unless you're a PT major. I spend my times in the dorm or the library. There is much to go anyways. Administration is ok. Hardly any school pride. Most frequent complaints: boring, food sucks, sports suck.

    Read all 4 answers

  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    The classes are fairly easy at least for freshmen year. All the classes are small. They rarely exceed 25 students but it depends on the class and departments such as bio, chem etc. The teachers so far have been nice. They know their students names and they offer individual attention. Students study sort of but the majority study the most during finals. Not very competitive between students. Arcadia doesn't have too high of standards academic wise. Not too challenging. If you want a challenge and a good education go to a better well known school. The career development office is ok. Arcadia is more geared towards learning. You will have to work hard to get a job.

    Read all 3 answers

  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Quddich Tournament.

    Read all 3 answers

  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    I think the stereotype for us is that we are not that social because we a so far away from other colleges, but that's not true. I think i heard we were geeky too since we had classes such as our harry potter class and graphic novels class.

    Read all 3 answers

  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Yup. It's boring as hell unless you're a partier or belong to a certain clique.

    Read all 1 answers

  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Boring, small, white middle-upper class. Mostly people from Pennsylvania, New Jersey.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

69%

female

31%

male

2,473

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,312

Total Grad Students

49%

Out-Of-State

51%

In-State

N/A

International

Organizations

90

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

34%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
5%
% Black or African-American
9%
% Hispanic/Latino
8%
% White or Caucasian
65%

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.

98% of students attending Arcadia University receive some sort of financial aid. 38% were awarded federal grants.90%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$40,920

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,500

Books and Supplies

$13,500

Room and Board

55,920

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$21,108
$30 - $48K
$24,522
$48 - $75K
$24,950
$75 - $110K
$26,842
$110K & UP
$29,059

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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