AAMU vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alabama A & M University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (7,295 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Philander Smith University is in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Philander Smith University 11:1.

AAMU vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or PSC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Philander Smith University than AAMU ($14,082 vs. $17,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 12.3% lower than at Alabama A & M University ($10,000 vs. $11,402).
• Philander Smith University is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than AAMU (about $2,990 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $10,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at AAMU than at Philander Smith University (about $5,620 more per year; $18,634.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Alabama A & M University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Alabama A & M University students ($14,283 vs. $12,844).

AAMU vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or PSC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PSC and AAMU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; PSC - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman PSC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.04) than students at AAMU (3.02).

AAMU vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and PSC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Alabama A & M University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Alabama A & M University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Philander Smith University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($31,000 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($320 vs. $361).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.