Philander Smith University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Little Rock, Arkansas. It enrolls 751 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
63/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes44
Value41
Affordability65
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Philander Smith University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Philander Smith University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $14,224 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$14,224
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
68%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
58%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$13,014
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,000
Room & Board (off-campus)
$14,376
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,312
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,778
Total Cost of Attendance
$28,136
Application fee: $25 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$13,393
$30,001 – $48,000
$14,606
$48,001 – $75,000
$16,686
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,847
Over $110,000
$15,800
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,75010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$24,736Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$40,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,890
↓ $9,846
No Pell $12,750
↓ $11,986
Dependent students $14,250
↓ $10,486
Independent students $15,480
↓ $9,256
Female students $14,250
↓ $10,486
Male students $14,749
↓ $9,987
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $12,000, less than completers ($24,736), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
39% of full-time students who enrolled at Philander Smith University graduate within six years, and 67% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
39%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
67%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Philander Smith University earn a median of $38,427 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$38,427
Earning > $25K
64%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$26,500
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$28,400
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
6.4 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Moderate. Only 55% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Philander Smith University is home to 751 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 43% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
751
Part-Time
16%
First-Generation
43%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Black 78.6%590
International 8.4%63
White 6.7%50
Hispanic 3.1%23
Other 1.9%14
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Philander Smith University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityLittle Rock, Arkansas
Housing
Mostly residential518 beds on campus
Adult Learners
23%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Historically Black College / University (HBCU)
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Philander Smith University offers
a varied set of programs:
15 distinct programs across
14 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Philander Smith University is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$57M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$55,349
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
37 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
1
3%
$68,916
Associate Professors
7
19%
$63,189
Assistant Professors
19
51%
$53,226
Instructors
10
27%
$52,540
Pros & Cons of Philander Smith University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Philander Smith University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Best for:
Based on the data, Philander Smith University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Philander Smith University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Philander Smith University.
How much does Philander Smith University cost?
The average net price after aid at Philander Smith University is $14,224 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Philander Smith University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $38,427 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $14,224 per year. That's roughly 2.7x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Philander Smith University known for?
Philander Smith University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Biology, Psychology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Philander Smith University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Philander Smith University are $38,427, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Philander Smith University accredited?
Yes. Philander Smith University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Philander Smith University?
Philander Smith University enrolls 751 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Philander Smith University?
Philander Smith University graduates 39% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Philander Smith University a public or private college?
Philander Smith University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Philander Smith University located?
Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
What programs does Philander Smith University offer?
Philander Smith University offers 15 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Biology, Psychology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Philander Smith University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Philander Smith University is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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