PSC vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1.

PSC vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than PSC ($13,442 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 20.9% lower than at Philander Smith University ($7,911 vs. $10,000).
• Philander Smith University is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $3,054 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Philander Smith University (about $2,676 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University as at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($14,283 vs. $11,552).

PSC vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and PSC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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).

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $13,980 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($17,020 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($175 vs. $320).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.