UAPB vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR with Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (2,005 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); Philander Smith University is in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 12:1; Philander Smith University 11:1.

UAPB vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB or PSC? 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 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than PSC ($12,373 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are 8.1% lower than at Philander Smith University ($9,194 vs. $10,000).
• Philander Smith University is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAPB (about $3,602 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $9,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at UAPB than at Philander Smith University (about $4,978 more per year; $17,992.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 31.2% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students ($14,283 vs. $10,883).

UAPB vs. PSC Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; PSC - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman PSC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.04) than students at UAPB (2.9).

UAPB vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB and PSC? 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 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,200 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates have a $4,252 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($26,748 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, UAPB graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($276 vs. $320).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 30%)

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.