Arcadia University (Pennsylvania): Tuition, Scholarships & Guide for International Students

Arcadia University is a private university in Glenside, Pennsylvania, about 25 minutes from central Philadelphia. It is known for health sciences, including physical therapy and physician assistant studies, for its strong study-abroad tradition, and for its castle-style landmark building, Grey Towers Castle. Arcadia combines a small campus with easy access to Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C. This guide covers what international students should know: tuition, merit scholarships, English requirements, campus life, and F-1 and OPT rules.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Arcadia University, a private university in Glenside, Pennsylvania
• Location: about 25 minutes from Philadelphia, with rail links
• Tuition (reported): about US$48,290 a year for out-of-state and international students
• Merit scholarships: up to about US$28,000 a year toward tuition
• Average net price for international students after aid (reported): about US$25,866
• English: IELTS 6.0 with no section below 5.5
• Known for: physical therapy, physician assistant studies, health sciences, and study abroad

Rankings and reputation

Arcadia is a small private university that is not highly placed in global rankings. Its health science programmes, especially physical therapy and physician assistant studies, are well regarded in the US, and it has long been known for study-abroad programmes. Judge it on your programme, class sizes, and net cost after scholarships.

Academics and signature programs

Arcadia offers undergraduate majors in arts, sciences, business, education, and health, and graduate programmes including physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and counselling. Many students study abroad during their degree. Ask whether health graduate programmes accept international students, since licensing and clinical placements have extra requirements.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission is based on academic records, English, and sometimes essays or interviews. International applicants are considered for merit scholarships as part of admission. After admission, you receive an I-20 and apply for an F-1 visa.

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.0 with no section below 5.5
• TOEFL and Duolingo are generally accepted as alternatives
• Graduate health programmes may require higher scores
• Confirm the requirement for your programme

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, an essay or statement, recommendation letters, passport details, and financial evidence for the I-20. Ask how merit scholarships are decided and renewed.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Reported tuition for out-of-state and international students is about US$48,290 a year, with some sources giving US$44,620 to US$48,290 depending on the programme. Merit scholarships of up to about US$28,000 a year can reduce this, and the reported average net price after aid for international students is about US$25,866. Add housing, meals, fees, insurance, and books.

Estimated living costs

• F-1 applicants must show proof of funds covering at least a year of costs
• F-1 rules restrict off-campus work, so plan for little income while studying
• On-campus housing and meal plans offer predictable costs for first-year students
• Health insurance meeting the university's standards is generally required
• Winters can be cold in the northern states, so budget for winter clothing

Scholarships

Arcadia awards merit scholarships to international students of up to about US$28,000 a year toward tuition. Ask what grades or test scores lead to each award level, whether it renews for four years, and what grade point average you must keep.

Campus life and student support

Arcadia's campus in Glenside is compact and green, centred on Grey Towers Castle, a National Historic Landmark. Philadelphia's museums, historic sites, and jobs are a short train ride away. Ask about on-campus housing, meal plans, and international student support.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Philadelphia has a large health care, education, and life sciences economy, which suits Arcadia's health programmes. International students face F-1 work limits, so ask about Curricular Practical Training and OPT for your major.

US Optional Practical Training

After completing a US degree, F-1 graduates can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows up to 12 months of work related to their field, extendable by 24 months for STEM-designated programs. OPT is tied to the degree, so time on a pathway alone does not create post-study work rights. Confirm your program's STEM status with the international office, and check current rules with the US government.

Studying abroad from Arcadia

Arcadia has a long history in study abroad and runs programmes in many countries. International students on F-1 visas can often join, but must maintain status and check re-entry rules. Ask how study abroad affects your F-1 status, cost, and course credits.

Physical therapy and physician assistant programmes

Arcadia's Doctor of Physical Therapy and physician assistant programmes are competitive graduate programmes with clinical rotations and US licensing exams. International students should check eligibility, prerequisites, and whether licensing in their home country recognises US training.

Living near Philadelphia

Glenside is a quiet suburb with train links to Philadelphia's Center City. Living on campus is simplest in the first year. Philadelphia has lower living costs than New York or Boston but is still a large US city, so budget for transport and winter clothing.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants sometimes compare sticker prices instead of net cost after scholarships, overlook health-programme prerequisites, or assume study abroad is free. Ask for a written net-cost estimate.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students on F-1 visas are generally required to carry health insurance meeting the university's standards. Budget for the SEVIS I-901 fee, the visa fee, and flights, and prepare for a visa interview, whose waiting times vary by country.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, English placement where needed, and learning how US classes work, with regular assignments and participation. Students who use tutoring and advising early tend to reach progression targets more comfortably.

A realistic budget

If tuition is about US$48,290 and a merit award is US$20,000, net tuition would be about US$28,000 before housing and meals of about US$15,000. A four-year degree could cost about US$170,000 after scholarships. Get a written estimate.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What merit scholarship will I receive, and does it renew?
• What is the full cost of attendance?
• Do graduate health programmes accept international students?
• How does study abroad work for international students?
• Is my major STEM-designated for OPT?
• What housing is available?

Who Arcadia suits best

Arcadia suits students who want a small private university near Philadelphia with strong health programmes and study-abroad options, and who qualify for a sizeable merit award. It may suit less well students on a tight budget without scholarships or those who want a large research university.

Arcadia compared with Philadelphia's larger universities

Larger universities such as Temple or Drexel offer bigger campuses and more majors, while Arcadia offers smaller classes and a suburban setting close to the city. Compare net cost, programme, and campus feel.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any deposit, and receive your I-20.
5. Apply for your F-1 visa and prepare for the interview.
6. Arrange travel and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Order certified transcripts and translations, arrange financial documents, and check that your passport is valid for the whole study period. Keep written confirmation of program costs, scholarships, and progression terms.

How Arcadia compares on cost

Arcadia's sticker price is similar to many private US universities, but its merit awards bring the reported average international net price down to about US$26,000. That can make it cheaper than some public universities' out-of-state rates. Compare net costs, not published tuition.

Visa and arrival steps

After admission and your deposit, Arcadia issues an I-20. You pay the SEVIS fee, book an F-1 visa interview, and plan to arrive before orientation. Keep financial documents showing funds for the full cost of attendance.

Housing and meal plans

Most first-year students live on campus with a meal plan, which simplifies arrival and budgeting. Ask about room types, costs, and whether housing is guaranteed in later years, since off-campus rents near Philadelphia vary widely.

Grey Towers and campus traditions

Grey Towers Castle, a National Historic Landmark built in the 1890s, houses offices, event spaces, and some student rooms, and gives the campus a distinctive character. Ask about campus traditions, clubs, and events for international students.

Frequently asked questions