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Is Philander Smith University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Philander Smith, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Heavy lift
Philander Smith lands in the heavy lift band for a typical family. The combination of $14,224 in yearly net price and $24,736 in median debt asks a lot relative to median earnings of $38,427. For context, Philander Smith's net price is about 34% below the typical 4-year, private nonprofit school. This does not make the school wrong for every student, but it does mean the price deserves a closer test.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 1237 similar 4-year, private nonprofit schools
This school
$14,986
/yrAverage school like this
$22,837
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $7,851 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $31,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$14,224
Median earnings 10 years out
$38,427
Median debt at graduation
$24,736
Graduation rate
31%
At Philander Smith, a typical graduate carries about $24,736 in student debt and earns roughly $38,427 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $281 per month, or 9% of pre-tax income. That sits at the tighter end of a workable borrower range.
What this means for your family
Philander Smith is a private nonprofit four year school in Little Rock, AR. Private pricing can swing more dramatically based on aid, so your personalized score matters more here than the national average view alone.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Private nonprofit 4-year
Williams Baptist
Walnut Ridge, AR
Worth-It Score: 46/100
Median net price: $15,745
Private nonprofit 4-year
Crowley's Ridge
Paragould, AR
Worth-It Score: 44/100
Median net price: $16,315
Private nonprofit 4-year
Central Baptist
Conway, AR
Worth-It Score: 59/100
Median net price: $12,287
Private nonprofit 4-year
University of the Ozarks
Clarksville, AR
Worth-It Score: 54/100
Median net price: $17,360
Private nonprofit 4-year
Lyon
Batesville, AR
Worth-It Score: 50/100
Median net price: $19,616
Common questions about Philander Smith
The median net price at Philander Smith is $14,224 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at private colleges options in Arkansas? See the most affordable private colleges in Arkansas →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →