Head-to-head · 2026
Arkansas Baptist College vs Philander Smith University
Compare average net price ($10,627 at Arkansas Baptist College; $14,224 at Philander Smith University), ROI score (6.69 vs 6.75), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($28,418 vs $38,427), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Arkansas Baptist College; Open / not reported at Philander Smith University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Arkansas Baptist College | Philander Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.69 | 6.75 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,627 ✓ | $14,224 |
| 4-year avg net price | $42,508 ✓ | $56,896 |
| In-state tuition | $8,760 | $13,014 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,760 | $13,014 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $28,418 | $38,427 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 7.4% | 30.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 23.4% | 65.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,375 | $24,736 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 342 | 751 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Arkansas Baptist College | Philander Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,715 ✓ | $13,393 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,741 ✓ | $14,606 |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,496 | $16,686 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,055 | $12,847 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $15,800 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Arkansas Baptist College | Philander Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 24.3% | 25.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 8.1% | 11.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.7% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Arkansas Baptist College reports the lower average net price by $3,597 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,388 difference over four years ($42,508 vs $56,896).
Philander Smith University reports $10,009 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($38,427 vs $28,418). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 23.4% at Arkansas Baptist College and 65.7% at Philander Smith University. Median federal debt among completers is $25,375 vs $24,736, respectively.
3 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Arkansas Baptist College vs Philander Smith University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Arkansas Baptist College is cheaper — average net price $10,627 per year vs $14,224 at Philander Smith University. The annual difference of $3,597 adds up to about $14,388 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Philander Smith University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $38,427 vs $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College. The gap in the federal data is $10,009. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.