PSC vs. Art Center College of Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Art Center College of Design is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (2,308 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Art Center College of Design is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Art Center College of Design 9:1.

PSC vs. Art Center College of Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Art Center College of Design? 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 Art Center College of Design ($14,082 vs. $53,271).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 49.1% lower than at Art Center College of Design ($10,000 vs. $19,632).
• Art Center College of Design is 316.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $41,156 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 316.2% higher at Art Center College of Design than at Philander Smith University (about $41,156 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Art Center College of Design (99% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Art Center College of Design students is 56.9% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($22,412 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Art Center College of Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Art Center College of Design? 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 Art Center College of Design and PSC.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Art Center College of Design - Test-free.

PSC vs. Art Center College of Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Art Center College of Design? 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).

• Art Center College of Design's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Art Center College of Design earn a median of about $31,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,300 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Philander Smith University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($31,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($320 vs. $323).
• More Art Center College of Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.