PSC vs. ABC

Comparable Facts

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

Philander Smith University is larger than ABC based on total student enrollment (780 students vs. 302 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Arlington Baptist University is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arlington Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Arlington Baptist University 20:1.

PSC vs. ABC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or ABC? 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 ABC ($14,082 vs. $25,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arlington Baptist University are 10.2% lower than at Philander Smith University ($8,980 vs. $10,000).
• Arlington Baptist University is 60.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $7,816 more per year; $20,830.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.1% higher at ABC than at Philander Smith University (about $7,816 more per year; $20,830.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arlington Baptist University than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 67.7% larger than aid received by Arlington Baptist University students ($14,283 vs. $8,518).

PSC vs. ABC Admissions comparison

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

• Arlington Baptist University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; ABC - Open admission.

PSC vs. ABC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and ABC? 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).

• Arlington Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Arlington Baptist University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,900 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arlington Baptist University graduates have a $4,999 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($26,001 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ABC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($268 vs. $320).
• More ABC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.