PSC vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

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

Sam Houston State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

PSC vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or SHSU? 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 SHSU ($14,082 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 14.7% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,000 vs. $11,720).
• Philander Smith University is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $3,786 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.5% higher at SHSU than at Philander Smith University (about $6,054 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Sam Houston State University (99% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 33.9% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($14,283 vs. $10,669).

PSC vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHSU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and SHSU? 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).

• Sam Houston State University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($21,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($222 vs. $320).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.