PSC vs. Lamar University

Comparable Facts

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

Lamar University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (17,772 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Lamar University is in Beaumont, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lamar University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Lamar University 20:1.

PSC vs. Lamar University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Lamar 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 Lamar University than PSC ($9,814 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 4.4% lower than at Lamar University ($10,000 vs. $10,464).
• Philander Smith University is 46.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lamar University (about $4,109 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $8,905.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at Lamar University than at Philander Smith University (about $5,731 more per year; $18,745.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Lamar University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Lamar University students ($14,283 vs. $12,263).

PSC vs. Lamar University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Lamar 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 Lamar University and PSC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLamar University 930/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLamar University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Lamar University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lamar University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Lamar University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Lamar 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).

• The graduation rate at PSC is the same as at Lamar University (31% vs. 31%).
• Graduates from Lamar University earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lamar University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($22,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Lamar University graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($227 vs. $320).
• More Lamar University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.