PSC vs. Menlo

Comparable Facts

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

Menlo College is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (810 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Menlo College is in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Menlo College 14:1.

PSC vs. Menlo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Menlo? 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 Menlo ($14,082 vs. $32,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 45.2% lower than at Menlo College ($10,000 vs. $18,236).
• Menlo College is 312.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $40,616 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 312.1% higher at Menlo than at Philander Smith University (about $40,616 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 174.3% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($39,174 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Menlo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Menlo? 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 Menlo and PSC.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Menlo - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Menlo students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Menlo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Menlo? 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).

• Menlo College's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $27,100 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Menlo College graduates have a $9,938 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($21,062 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Menlo graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($217 vs. $320).
• More Menlo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.