# Philander Smith University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/philander-smith-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Little Rock, AR
- **Type:** Private nonprofit
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** Southeast
- **Enrollment:** 751
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's
- **HBCU:** Yes

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.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| SAT Average | N/A |
| ACT Midpoint | N/A |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $13,014 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $13,014 |
| Average Net Price | $14,224 |
| Median Debt | $24,736 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 68% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 58% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $13,393 |
| $30K-$48K | $14,606 |
| $48K-$75K | $16,686 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $15,800 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 31% |
| Retention Rate | 66% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $25,254 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $31,824 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $38,427 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.64x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 99.40% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 281.5% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 3531.2% |
| Parent Median Income | $32,000 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.10 |
| Friending Bias | -0.07 |
| Volunteering Rate | 4.1% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Business & Marketing | 33% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 13% |
| Criminal Justice | 12% |
| Psychology | 11% |
| Education | 7% |
| Computer Science & IT | 5% |
| Social Sciences | 3% |
| Humanities | 3% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 27 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #6 in [Best HBCUs for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-business)
- #6 in [Best HBCUs for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-accounting)
- #6 in [Best HBCUs for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-finance)
- #6 in [Best HBCUs for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-marketing)
- #6 in [Best HBCUs for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-management)
- #6 in [Best HBCUs for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-human-resources)
- #6 in [Best HBCUs for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-supply-chain)
- #7 in [Best Business Colleges in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-arkansas)
- #12 in [Best HBCUs for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-computer-science)
- #12 in [Best HBCUs for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-data-science)
- #12 in [Best HBCUs for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-cybersecurity)
- #12 in [Best HBCUs for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-information-technology)
- #12 in [Best Education Colleges in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-arkansas)
- #12 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-arkansas)
- #12 in [Best Biology Colleges in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-arkansas)
- #13 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-arkansas)
- #14 in [Best HBCUs for Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-education)
- #14 in [Best HBCUs for Criminal Justice](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-criminal-justice)
- #15 in [Best Colleges in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-arkansas)
- #16 in [Best Master's Programs in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-arkansas)
- #18 in [Best HBCU Bachelor's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-bachelors)
- #18 in [Best HBCUs for Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-biology)
- #19 in [Best HBCUs for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-psychology)
- #20 in [Best HBCUs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcus)
- #20 in [Best HBCU Master's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-masters)
- #30 in [Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-arkansas)
- #47 in [Most Affordable HBCUs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-hbcus)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Philander Smith University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/philander-smith-university