PSC vs. Blackburn College

Comparable Facts

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

Philander Smith University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (780 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Blackburn College is in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Blackburn College 11:1.

PSC vs. Blackburn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Blackburn 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 Blackburn College ($14,082 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 0.9% lower than at Philander Smith University ($9,915 vs. $10,000).
• Blackburn College is 116.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $15,135 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.3% higher at Blackburn College than at Philander Smith University (about $15,135 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 36.2% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($19,456 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Blackburn College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBlackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBlackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Blackburn College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Blackburn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Blackburn 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($26,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($268 vs. $320).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.