PSC vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

PSC vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Tennessee 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 Philander Smith University than Tennessee State University ($14,082 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 10.3% lower than at Tennessee State University ($10,000 vs. $11,150).
• Philander Smith University is 51% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $4,398 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.2% higher at Tennessee State University than at Philander Smith University (about $9,402 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Tennessee State University (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($14,283 vs. $9,661).

PSC vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Tennessee 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).

• Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($28,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($289 vs. $320).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 29%)

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.