PSC vs. TC

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with Texas College in Tyler, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Philander Smith University is larger than TC based on total student enrollment (780 students vs. 614 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Texas College is in Tyler, TX (Small City setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Texas College 17:1.

PSC vs. TC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or TC? 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 Texas College than PSC ($10,958 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas College are 20% lower than at Philander Smith University ($8,000 vs. $10,000).
• Philander Smith University is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than TC (about $3,006 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $10,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at PSC than at Texas College (about $3,006 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $10,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at Texas College (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 52.3% larger than aid received by Texas College students ($14,283 vs. $9,381).

PSC vs. TC Admissions comparison

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

• Texas College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; TC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman PSC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.04) than students at TC (2.9).

PSC vs. TC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and TC? 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 Texas College's (6%).
• Graduates from Texas College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,800 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas College and PSC graduates have the same median loan debt ($31,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Texas College and PSC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($320 vs. $320).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TC students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 14%)

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.