PSC vs. Harris-Stowe State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Harris Stowe State University in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Harris Stowe State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (1,002 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Harris Stowe State University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harris Stowe State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Harris Stowe State University 12:1.

PSC vs. Harris-Stowe State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Harris-Stowe State University? 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 Harris Stowe State University than PSC ($9,418 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 6.8% lower than at Harris Stowe State University ($10,000 vs. $10,728).
• Philander Smith University is 85.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harris-Stowe State University (about $6,006 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $7,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at PSC than at Harris Stowe State University (about $1,374 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harris Stowe State University than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Harris Stowe State University students ($14,283 vs. $12,325).

PSC vs. Harris-Stowe State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Harris-Stowe State University? 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 Harris-Stowe State University and PSC.

• Harris Stowe State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Harris-Stowe State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman PSC students have the same average high school GPA (3.04) as students at Harris-Stowe State University (3.04).

PSC vs. Harris-Stowe State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Harris-Stowe State University? 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).

• Philander Smith University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Harris Stowe State University's (8%).
• Graduates from Harris Stowe State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,100 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harris Stowe State University graduates have a $3,975 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($27,025 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Harris-Stowe State University graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harris-Stowe State University students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 27%)

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.