Philander Smith University
#4 Best HBCUs for Psychology- Graduation Rate
- 31% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,427 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $14,224 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 751
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 25.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.3 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best HBCUs for Psychology.
Every $1 spent returns $25.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,385,167.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 31% — 45% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Philander Smith University Matters
Philander Smith University is a private college in Little Rock, AR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 751
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU · 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose Philander Smith University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,224 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,427 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $24,736 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 76% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.10 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Philander Smith University has a unique position with a 68% Pell Grant rate, indicating strong support for low-income students. This reflects the university's commitment to accessibility and affordability in higher education. With a small enrollment of 751, students can expect a more personalized educational experience.
According to Opportunity Insights data, while specific mobility metrics are not available, the environment fosters potential for upward economic movement. Graduates typically earn around $38,427 ten years after starting their degree. This suggests that while the graduation rate stands at 31%, those who do complete their studies can find pathways to improved financial stability.
The net price for attending Philander Smith is $14,224, with a median debt of $24,736. Students who thrive here are often those interested in programs like Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Education. This university caters to individuals who value a supportive community and are motivated to succeed despite the challenges they may face.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Philander Smith University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Philander Smith University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Philander Smith University, located in Little Rock, Arkansas, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,335
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Philander Smith University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Philander Smith University is $13,014, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,224. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,393 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,736 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,014
- Out-of-State
- $13,014
- Avg Net Price
- $14,224
- Median Debt
- $24,736
- Pell Grant Rate
- 68%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 58%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,393
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,606
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,686
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,800
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Philander Smith University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Philander Smith University report median earnings of $38,427, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $25,254
- 8 Years
- $31,824
- 10 Years
- $38,427
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.64x
- Earning > $25K
- 41%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (27)
- 25%
- 100% (27)
- 25%
- 100% (27)
- 25%
- 100% (27)
- 25%
How Philander Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Philander Smith University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Philander Smith University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,224/year ($56,896 total). Graduates earn $38,427 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,442,063 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,385,167 (25.3× your investment). The median debt is $24,736, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 31% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $56,896
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,442,063
- Net Return
- $1,385,167
- ROI Multiple
- 25.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,224
- Median Debt
- $24,736
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 31%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Philander Smith University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Philander Smith University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 35.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $32,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 2.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 35.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $32,000
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-2,822,485
Top Programs
The fields Philander Smith University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 33%
- Biology & Biomedical 13%
- Criminal Justice 12%
- Psychology 11%
- Education 7%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Social Sciences 3%
- Humanities 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Philander Smith University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Philander Smith University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Philander Smith University, located in Little Rock, Arkansas, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Philander Smith University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Philander Smith University is $13,014, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,224. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,393 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,736 in federal student loans.
Is Philander Smith University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Philander Smith University report median earnings of $38,427, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Philander Smith University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Philander Smith University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 35.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $32,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Philander Smith University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Philander Smith University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Philander Smith University.
- Chowan UniversityMurfreesboro, NC · Close peer29% grad $38,412 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Villa Maria CollegeBuffalo, NY · Close peer31% grad $38,857 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- The University of Tennessee SouthernPulaski, TN · Close peer36% grad $38,924 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Stillman CollegeTuscaloosa, AL · Close peer32% grad $35,421 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Emmanuel UniversityFranklin Springs, GA · Close peer38% grad $38,208 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St. Augustine CollegeChicago, IL · Close peer23% grad $35,723 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Philander Smith University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Philander Smith University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note