PSC vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

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

McDaniel College is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); McDaniel College is in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; McDaniel College 13:1.

PSC vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or McDaniel 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 McDaniel College ($14,082 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 22.9% lower than at McDaniel College ($10,000 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 300.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $39,067 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 300.2% higher at McDaniel College than at Philander Smith University (about $39,067 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 185.1% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($40,721 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $26,600 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.