PSC vs. Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR with University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); University of Central Missouri is in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; University of Central Missouri 18:1.

PSC vs. Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Central? 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 Central ($14,082 vs. $14,943).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 6.9% lower than at University of Central Missouri ($10,000 vs. $10,740).
• Philander Smith University is 29.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central (about $2,964 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.9% higher at Central than at Philander Smith University (about $5,586 more per year; $18,600.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at University of Central Missouri (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 82.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Missouri students ($14,283 vs. $7,811).

PSC vs. Central Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Central Missouri 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Central - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Central? 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).

• University of Central Missouri's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Missouri graduates have a $8,559 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($22,441 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Central graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($232 vs. $320).
• More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.