PSC vs. JCSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 780 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Johnson C Smith University is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Johnson C Smith University 12:1.

PSC vs. JCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or JCSU? 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 JCSU ($14,082 vs. $19,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 14% lower than at Philander Smith University ($8,600 vs. $10,000).
• Johnson C Smith University is 63.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $8,286 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.7% higher at JCSU than at Philander Smith University (about $8,286 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Johnson C Smith University (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($15,238 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. JCSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or JCSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JCSU and PSC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresJohnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresJohnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; JCSU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman PSC students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.04) than students at JCSU (2.48).

PSC vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and JCSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Johnson C Smith University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Johnson C Smith University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,300 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Philander Smith University graduates have a $1,050 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($31,000 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($320 vs. $331).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 26%)

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.