
Philander Smith College is a nonprofit private historically black institution located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Most historically black colleges and universities (also known as HBCUs) were founded after the civil war to provide newly freed African Americans with educational opportunities. The school's United Methodist affiliation is one of its defining characteristics and plays an important role within the school's curriculum. The school enrolls 700 students per year, allowing for a more personalized education.
A list of some of the programs offered are:
- Business Administration
- Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services
- Biology
- Sociology
- Political Science
To be considered for admissions, students may be asked to complete an application, write a personal statement, and submit high school records and test scores, which are then reviewed by the admissions office. Very common test scores among applicants accepted to this school are in the range of 16 - 20 for the ACT exam, or 1100 - 1510 on the SAT exam. 68% of students that apply are accepted to Philander Smith College, of which 10% choose to attend. More information regarding PSC admissions can be found at philandersmithadmissions.com.
The cost of undergraduate tuition is nearly $13,000 annually. Tuition prices may change for a variety of reasons, and that is why students should use the school's net price calculator (NPC) to get a better idea of their personalized cost estimate of attendance. The price of on-campus housing is approximately $5,300 annually. Financial aid may be offered to students that meet the required requirements by way of scholarships, grants, and loans.
The PSC Panthers participate in several intercollegiate athletic programs, within the NAIA organization. Available sports offered:
- Basketball (NAIA Division I)
- Volleyball (NAIA Division I)
Students may take a look at the school's http://www.philander.edu to see additional information about the school, degree programs, learning modalities, and campus life.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may give you an idea of the applicants Philander Smith College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at Philander Smith College is around 580 students, with undergraduate students making up about 100% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The items listed below are for informational purposes only and may not represent current tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition is estimated to be around $13,000 per year for in-state and nonresident students
- For part-time students, charges are between $500-$590 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The financial aid table below details the types of financial aid, along with the percent of students receiving aid, and on average the amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 100% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 100% | $10,507 |
Receiving Student Loans | 75% | $7,842 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Philander Smith College may provide services to students including:- Weekend and night classes available
- Remedial courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
Graduation Rates
The overall graduation rate of Philander Smith College is around 45%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 20% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 20% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 5% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
- * Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (since 1992)
Intercollegiate Athletics
Philander Smith College is a Member of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with many of the sports being in the NAIA Division I classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Basketball (Gulf Coast Athletic Conference)
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Philander Smith College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B)
Education
English Language and Literature
- English (B)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (B)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Sports Medicine (B)
Social Sciences
- Political Science (B)
- Sociology (B)
Data Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page has been obtained from Institution, State, and Federal data sources, including the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Survey 2010-2016. Information should be solely used for informational purposes only and may not be accurate for the current year. Contact Philander Smith College for official up-to-date information.