PSC vs. Bethune-Cookman

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethune Cookman University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (2,853 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Bethune Cookman University is in Daytona Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethune Cookman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Bethune Cookman University 17:1.

PSC vs. Bethune-Cookman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Bethune-Cookman? 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 Bethune Cookman University than PSC ($12,476 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 3.8% lower than at Bethune Cookman University ($10,000 vs. $10,396).
• Bethune Cookman University is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $1,780 more per year; $14,794.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Bethune-Cookman than at Philander Smith University (about $1,780 more per year; $14,794.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Bethune Cookman University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethune Cookman University students is 20.3% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($17,181 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Bethune-Cookman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Bethune-Cookman? 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 Bethune-Cookman and PSC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethune Cookman University 830/990.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Bethune-Cookman - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bethune-Cookman students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Bethune-Cookman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Bethune-Cookman? 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).

• Bethune Cookman University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Bethune Cookman University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($31,700 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Philander Smith University graduates have a $4,985 lower median loan debt than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($31,000 vs. $35,985).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($320 vs. $372).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethune-Cookman students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 20%)

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.