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RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Tuition
& Financial Support

At Pacific Design Academy, we understand that pursuing a creative education is both a personal and financial commitment. We're dedicated to ensuring that your investment leads to a rewarding career in the design industry.

TUITION

Investing in your future

Classroom to Career

84% of PDA grads find work in their field within 6 months. Our programs are laser-focused on portfolio-building and job readiness—so you can step confidently into industry, fast.

Tuition ROI

92% of grads repay student loans on time—far above the national average. With shorter timelines and career-ready training, PDA delivers real value without long-term debt.

Portfolio Focused

Every project is designed to build the real-world work that hiring managers want to see—and to help you stand out in a crowded creative field.

Fast-Track Learning

Graduate in under 2 years, with over 20 years of proven success. PDA’s accelerated programs and deep industry roots get you working sooner.

Group of professional team design engineers working with project documents in modern office
Fashion designer in workshop

2025 Tuition
Information

We are in the process of updating our online application system. In the meantime, please find tuition information on the PDF Admissions Applications.

Admissions
TUITION & SUPPORT

Tuition: A Gateway
to Your Career

Tuition and fees at PDA vary by program and student status (domestic or international). Detailed information, including estimated costs for supplies and books, is available on each program page. We advise students to consult with department heads and instructors before purchasing supplies, as some may not be required until later in the program.

Fashion Design

Graphic Media Design

Interior Design

Architectural Building Tech

App & Web Development

Motion Picture Production

Professional Certificates

Evening Design Workshops

Summer Programs

Fashion designer selecting some clothes
Design Studio Architect Creative Occupation Meeting Blueprint Co
TUITION & SUPPORT

Financial Aid: Supporting Your Journey

PDA is a designated institution with the Private Training Institutions Branch of the BC Ministry of Advanced Education. This designation allows our students to access various funding options, including:

Federal and Provincial Student Loans

WorkSafe BC sponsorship for qualifying individuals

Social Services and Human Resources Canada

Private lender student loans

TUITION & SUPPORT

Scholarships and Bursaries: Recognizing Your Potential

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students:

Rotary Scholarship

Victoria Visual Arts Legacy Bursary Award

CityNest Toastmasters Bursary

BC Arts Council Scholarship

BC Access Grant

Video editor inputting music, dialogues, graphics and effects over raw footage

Your Portfolio is your Professional Passport

At PDA, your instructors are practicing designers who know the truth: it’s the portfolio—not the degree—that lands the job.

AIGA & Google Design Census 2019

72% of hiring managers prioritize portfolios over degrees.

Assistant Director, Netflix Production (Reddit AMA)

No one in film asks where you studied. They ask, ‘What have you worked on?

Hiring Manager at Gensler

When we recruit junior designers, we spend 90% of the time reviewing portfolios. A degree might show discipline, but your portfolio shows vision.

Hiring Producer, BBC Studios

In production, your portfolio is your resumé.

InVision Product Design Hiring Report

A strong portfolio outweighs a design degree every time.

Hiring Manager, Vogue Talent Contest

Your portfolio is your fashion voice. We look for originality, taste level, and risk—all through visuals.

Principal Designer at Yabu Pushelberg

We hire based on creativity and clarity in the portfolio, not academic background

Designer at Alexander McQueen

We care more about your sketches and garment construction than what school you went to.

Interior Design Magazine, Hiring Trends

In interior design, your visual storytelling is your currency. Portfolios tell that story—degrees just support it.

Senior Designer, Pentagram

In graphic design, your portfolio is your degree. That’s what clients and agencies care about.

Production Manager, A24 Films

We look at what you’ve done, not what you studied. That’s the industry standard now.

InVision Design Hiring Report

A solid portfolio with thoughtful case studies will beat a fancy degree every time.

PDA Pathways

Start Working Sooner.
Start Earning Sooner.

Why wait four years to launch your design career?

At Pacific Design Academy, you can graduate with industry-ready skills in just 12 to 24 months—often two years before traditional university grads. That means:

• 2 years of early income at an average entry-level design salary (~$45,000/year)

• $90,000 in potential early earnings

• Real-world experience while others are still in lectures

PDA Pathways

Flexible Pathways: Work Now, Finish a Degree Later

Many PDA students use their diploma as a launchpad:

Start earning and building your career right away

Pursue a university degree part-time or online while working in the field

Graduate with less debt and more experience than many of your peers

PDA Pathways

Skills That Matter, Faster.

Forget the fluff. PDA’s programs focus on:

Practical, hands-on learning with faculty who work
in the industry

Portfolio-first assignments that mirror real-world creative briefs

No filler courses—just what you need to get hired
and grow fast

PDA student and alumni portfolios

See Student Work
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Designated B.C. Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit & Shield Design mark is a certification mark owned by the Government of British Columbia and used under licence.

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