PSC vs. Baker

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Baker University in Baldwin City, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Baker University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (2,017 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Baker University is in Baldwin City, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Baker University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Baker University 13:1.

PSC vs. Baker Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Baker? 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 Baker ($14,082 vs. $26,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 11.1% lower than at Baker University ($10,000 vs. $11,250).
• Baker University is 171.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $22,286 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.2% higher at Baker than at Philander Smith University (about $22,286 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Baker University than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Baker University students is 73.2% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($24,733 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Baker Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBaker University 970/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBaker University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Baker - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Baker students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Baker Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Baker? 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).

• Baker University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Baker University earn a median of about $29,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,000 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Baker University graduates have a $6,001 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($24,999 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Baker graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($258 vs. $320).
• More Baker graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.