PSC vs. ESU

Comparable Facts

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

Emporia State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (4,557 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

PSC vs. ESU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or ESU ? 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 ESU ($14,082 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 8.7% lower than at Emporia State University ($10,000 vs. $10,950).
• Philander Smith University is 83.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $5,908 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at ESU than at Philander Smith University (about $2,405 more per year; $15,419.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Emporia State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 140% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($14,283 vs. $5,951).

PSC vs. ESU Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; ESU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and ESU ? 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $11,581 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($19,419 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($200 vs. $320).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.