PSC vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

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

Alma College is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Alma College 14:1.

PSC vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Alma College? 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 Alma College ($14,082 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 29.5% lower than at Alma College ($10,000 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 280.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $36,538 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 280.8% higher at Alma College than at Philander Smith University (about $36,538 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 191.4% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($41,618 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Alma College? 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 Alma College and PSC.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Alma College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Alma College? 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).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alma College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Alma College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.