PSC vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Philander Smith University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (780 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Southwestern Christian University is in Bethany, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Southwestern Christian University 13:1.

PSC vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or SCU? 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 SCU ($14,082 vs. $20,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 1% lower than at Southwestern Christian University ($10,000 vs. $10,100).
• Southwestern Christian University is 68.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $8,886 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at SCU than at Philander Smith University (about $8,886 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Christian University than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Southwestern Christian University students ($14,283 vs. $12,784).

PSC vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; SCU - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman SCU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and SCU? 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 Southwestern Christian University's (28%).
• Graduates from Southwestern Christian University earn a median of about $600 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,400 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern Christian University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (38% 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.