PSC vs. Livingstone College

Comparable Facts

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

Livingstone College is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Livingstone College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Livingstone College 14:1.

PSC vs. Livingstone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Livingstone 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 Livingstone College than PSC ($12,826 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 32.1% lower than at Philander Smith University ($6,794 vs. $10,000).
• Livingstone College is 40.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $5,282 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at Livingstone College than at Philander Smith University (about $5,282 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University as at Livingstone College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($15,485 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Livingstone College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLivingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLivingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Livingstone College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman PSC students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.04) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).

PSC vs. Livingstone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Livingstone 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).

• Philander Smith University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Philander Smith University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($26,800 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Philander Smith University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($31,000 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($320 vs. $434).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 13%)

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.