PSC vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

PSC vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($14,082 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 15.3% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($10,000 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 330.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $43,062 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 330.9% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Philander Smith University (about $43,062 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 190.2% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($41,450 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $29,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.