Arkansas vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, 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 is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Philander Smith University is in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas 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 20:1; Philander Smith University 11:1.

Arkansas vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 Philander Smith University than Arkansas ($14,082 vs. $18,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 29.8% lower than at University of Arkansas ($10,000 vs. $14,244).
• Philander Smith University is 28.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $2,910 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.3% higher at Arkansas than at Philander Smith University (about $16,952 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at University of Arkansas (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 62.2% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($14,283 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; PSC - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at PSC (3.04).

Arkansas vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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).

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($21,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($222 vs. $320).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.