Arkansas State University vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Philander Smith University is in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Philander Smith University 11:1.

Arkansas State University vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University than PSC ($12,410 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 13.4% lower than at Arkansas State University ($10,000 vs. $11,550).
• Philander Smith University is 60.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $4,924 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at Arkansas State University than at Philander Smith University (about $1,508 more per year; $14,522.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Arkansas State University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Arkansas State University students ($14,283 vs. $13,395).

Arkansas State University vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; PSC - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at PSC (3.04).

Arkansas State University vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University 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).

• Arkansas State University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Arkansas State University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($19,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($201 vs. $320).
• More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 35%)

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.