C
Average
Score: 51/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
27/100 · earnings-weighted

Philander Smith University

4-Year Private Non-Profit HBCU
📍 Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Philander Smith University campus, Little Rock, AR
Philander Smith University campus, Little Rock, AR. Photo: Valis55, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 32%
Outcomes
C+
56/100
Affordability
C
52/100
Resources
C+
63/100
Experience
B+
74/100
Prestige
F
13/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

866
Total Enrollment
32%
Graduation Rate
67%
Retention Rate
12.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
N/A
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Philander Smith University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$38,427
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$25,254
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$24,736
Median debt at graduation
30.4%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
67.8%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 64% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 15th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (AR wage index 0.72). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Philander Smith University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services—$44,330-37%#35 of 37#31$19,172
Business Administration, Management and Operations$27,413$43,163-37%#1163 of 1176#1101$27,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Philander Smith University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $159,582
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,100/mo — vs ~$667/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 72114 (10.3% cap, North Little Rock)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

✓ Sent — check your inbox

Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $11,804 $11,804
Room $6,000
Board $4,000
Total Cost (On-Campus) $28,526 $28,526

Financial Aid

90%
Receive Any Aid
75%
Receive Pell Grants
53%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

866
Total Students
52%
Women
76%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 4%
Hispanic 3%
Black 80%
Asian 2%
Two or More 1%
Non-Resident 8%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 55%
Hybrid (Some Online) 42%
Fully Online 3%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 76%
25-64 (Adult) 23%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Philander Smith University?
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution. Many schools with open enrollment or specialized programs do not report traditional acceptance rates.
How much does it cost to attend Philander Smith University?
Tuition at Philander Smith University is $11,804 for in-state students and $11,804 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Philander Smith University?
The graduation rate at Philander Smith University is 32%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is Philander Smith University a good school?
Philander Smith University has a Repit College Score of 51/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Philander Smith University?
Philander Smith University has a total enrollment of 866 students. Most students (76%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Philander Smith University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Philander Smith University

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

C
Central Baptist College
Conway, AR · 550 students
C
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Fort Smith, AR · 826 students
C
Lyon College
Batesville, AR · 584 students
C
Williams Baptist University
Walnut Ridge, AR · 514 students
C+
University of the Ozarks
Clarksville, AR · 763 students
C
Arkansas Baptist College
Little Rock, AR · 373 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology