University of West Alabama vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Alabama is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Philander Smith University is in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; Philander Smith University 11:1.

University of West Alabama vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama than PSC ($13,954 vs. $14,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 17.7% lower than at Philander Smith University ($8,230 vs. $10,000).
• Philander Smith University is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of West Alabama (about $2,024 more per year; $13,014.00 vs. $10,990.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.4% higher at University of West Alabama than at Philander Smith University (about $7,076 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Philander Smith University than at University of West Alabama (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Philander Smith University students is 58.1% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($14,283 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; PSC - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of West Alabama students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at PSC (3.04).

University of West Alabama vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from University of West Alabama earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of West Alabama graduates have a $4,511 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($26,489 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, University of West Alabama graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($273 vs. $320).
• More University of West Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.