PSC vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Central University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (3,377 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; East Central University 18:1.

PSC vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or ECU? 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 East Central University than PSC ($8,565 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 14.8% lower than at Philander Smith University ($8,516 vs. $10,000).
• Philander Smith University is 62% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $4,982 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at ECU than at Philander Smith University (about $4,828 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at East Central University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 54.3% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($14,283 vs. $9,255).

PSC vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEast Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEast Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; ECU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and ECU? 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).

• East Central University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $14,122 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($16,878 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($174 vs. $320).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.