ATU vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

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

Arkansas Tech University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Philander Smith University is in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting).
• Arkansas Tech 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 Tech University 17:1; Philander Smith University 11:1.

ATU vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU 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 Tech University than PSC ($12,626 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 3.3% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($10,000 vs. $10,338).
• Philander Smith University is 50% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $4,340 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at ATU than at Philander Smith University (about $1,654 more per year; $14,668.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Arkansas Tech University (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 44.3% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($14,283 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU 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 ATU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; PSC - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at PSC (3.04).

ATU vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU 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 Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Arkansas Tech University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $13,250 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($17,750 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($183 vs. $320).
• More ATU 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.