Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Philander Smith University #822 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Philander Smith University in the 55.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University #1030 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University #822 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Little Rock, Arkansas, Philander Smith University enrolls roughly 751 undergraduates. Retention stands at 65.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 30.4%, reflecting the institution's commitment to student completion. Where Philander Smith University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University #1369 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $42,151. Philander Smith University earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 55.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the university's concentration in Business, a field that consistently delivers strong early-career outcomes and positions graduates for sustained financial growth. Access and affordability anchor the institution's broader value proposition. Philander Smith University serves a student body where 67.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 43.0% are first-generation college students — populations historically underrepresented in higher education. Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University in the 89.9 percentile for access and the 71.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students seeking a private institution that combines meaningful access with competitive long-term earnings, Philander Smith University offers a pathway that balances affordability with measurable economic returns.
Philander Smith University's published cost of attendance is $28,136. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $13,393, middle-income families pay around $16,686, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,800. Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University #412 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Philander Smith's aid structure combines need-based and merit components to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and merit scholarships are available for qualifying students based on academic and other criteria. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,736, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,370; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $42,151, median federal debt of $24,736 projects to a monthly payment of about $279 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Philander Smith University is a fit for students who want a private nonprofit four-year option in AR and are weighing outcomes against cost. Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University #821 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $42,151, placing Philander Smith University in the 1.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $505 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 55.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Published cost of attendance is $28,136. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $13,393, middle-income families pay around $16,686, higher-income families pay approximately $15,800. Students should weigh those current cost and earnings figures against the school's program mix before treating the fit as primarily an earnings, affordability, or access story.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Philander Smith University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Philander Smith University's published cost of attendance is $28,136. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $13,393, middle-income families pay around $16,686, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,800.
Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University #412 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Philander Smith's aid structure combines need-based and merit components to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and merit scholarships are available for qualifying students based on academic and other criteria. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,736, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,370; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $42,151, median federal debt of $24,736 projects to a monthly payment of about $279 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Philander Smith University earn median 4-year earnings of $42,151, placing Philander Smith University in the 1.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Philander Smith University in the 55.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Philander Smith University #1369 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 43 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $43,163, representing 0.6× the national benchmark for the field. Psychology, General and Criminal Justice follow as significant enrollment drivers, while Biology, General and Teacher Education round out the core program portfolio.
This concentration in Business — the institution's dominant program family — aligns with regional employer demand and supports the institution's overall earnings profile.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
43 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
13 graduates
Philander Smith University's program mix centers on business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's focus on workforce-ready credentials. Business Administration is the largest program with 43 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Criminal Justice, Biology, General, and Teacher Education.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 147 students annually, the institution's program portfolio emphasizes applied professional and business-oriented fields aligned with regional employer demand. Business Administration leads the institution's earnings profile, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $43,163 four years after enrollment.
The concentration in Business — representing 25% of graduates — anchors Philander Smith University's economic signature. This portfolio reflects the institution's positioning as a private nonprofit serving students seeking direct pathways into stable, accessible careers in business administration, accounting, management, and related professional fields.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Philander Smith University's dominant program families align with regional labor-market demand in Arkansas and the broader South. For many students, the institution's program mix offers a clear connection between degree completion and employment in sectors with consistent hiring and wage stability.
