PSC vs. Dean College

Comparable Facts

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

Dean College is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (1,092 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Dean College is in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Dean College 15:1.

PSC vs. Dean College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Dean 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 Dean College ($14,082 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 49.7% lower than at Dean College ($10,000 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 257.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $33,512 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 257.5% higher at Dean College than at Philander Smith University (about $33,512 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 130.7% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($32,958 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Dean College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Dean College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PSC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.04) than students at Dean College (2.88).

PSC vs. Dean College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Dean 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Dean College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $14,647 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($16,353 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $151 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($169 vs. $320).
• More Dean College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.