Moore College of Art & Design was recently highlighted in The Philadelphia Inquirer for its strong financial standing. This achievement underscores Moore's financial resilience and thoughtful fiscal management, setting it apart as one of the top performers in a changing higher education environment.
The analysis utilized a financial viability index developed by Julee Gard, a finance executive at the University of St. Francis in Illinois, who created the model to assess financial health of tuition-dependent colleges while a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania. The model, scored from zero to 100, assesses eight factors with an emphasis on how well a school covers its operating expenses with revenue from tuition and room and board. Gard’s index gives each school a score from zero to 100 and ranks schools in five categories: poor, marginal, good, very good, and excellent.
The Inquirer analyzed 13 small, private colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area with data from 2015 to 2023 (or 2024, if financial statements became publicly available). Of the 13 schools, Moore ranked in the top three colleges for financial viability, landing in the second-highest “very good” category.
Moore’s strong rating reflects its dedication to sound financial planning, ensuring a stable foundation for students and faculty alike. The recognition also highlights Moore’s leadership among art and design colleges in the area, reaffirming its commitment to growth, artistic excellence and career outcomes.
