PSC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

PSC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Columbia 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 Columbia College ($14,082 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 4.5% lower than at Philander Smith University ($9,552 vs. $10,000).
• Columbia College is 98.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $12,812 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.4% higher at Columbia College than at Philander Smith University (about $12,812 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Columbia College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($15,882 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Columbia 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $8,966 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($22,034 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($227 vs. $320).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (40% 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.