PSC vs. Pitt State

Comparable Facts

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

Pittsburg State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (5,755 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

PSC vs. Pitt State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Pitt State? 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 Pitt State ($14,082 vs. $15,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 2.3% lower than at Pittsburg State University ($10,000 vs. $10,234).
• Philander Smith University is 54.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt State (about $4,614 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $8,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.7% higher at Pitt State than at Philander Smith University (about $6,730 more per year; $19,744.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Pittsburg State University (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 119.6% larger than aid received by Pittsburg State University students ($14,283 vs. $6,504).

PSC vs. Pitt State Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Pitt State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Pitt State students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Pitt State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Pitt State? 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).

• Pittsburg State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Pittsburg State University earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,600 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pittsburg State University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($20,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Pitt State graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($206 vs. $320).
• More Pitt State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.