PSC vs. Mississippi Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi Valley State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (2,205 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Mississippi Valley State University is in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Mississippi Valley State University 13:1.

PSC vs. Mississippi Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Mississippi Valley State 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 Mississippi Valley State University than PSC ($10,232 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi Valley State University are 10.4% lower than at Philander Smith University ($8,956 vs. $10,000).
• Philander Smith University is 69.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi Valley State University (about $5,322 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.2% higher at PSC than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $5,322 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 30.6% larger than aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students ($14,283 vs. $10,933).

PSC vs. Mississippi Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Mississippi Valley State 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 Mississippi Valley State University and PSC.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMississippi Valley State University 13/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Mississippi Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman PSC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.04) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).

PSC vs. Mississippi Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Mississippi Valley State 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).

• Philander Smith University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Mississippi Valley State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Philander Smith University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($26,800 vs. $26,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi Valley State University graduates have a $1,664 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($29,336 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi Valley State University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($303 vs. $320).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (35% 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.