Head-to-head · 2026
John Brown University vs Philander Smith University
Compare average net price ($20,397 at John Brown University; $14,224 at Philander Smith University), ROI score (6.61 vs 6.75), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,907 vs $38,427), and admissions context (76.1% at John Brown University; 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 | John Brown University | Philander Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.61 | 6.75 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,397 | $14,224 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $81,588 | $56,896 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $31,756 | $13,014 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $31,756 | $13,014 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,907 ✓ | $38,427 |
| Acceptance rate | 76.1% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 71.8% ✓ | 30.4% |
| Retention rate | 81.5% ✓ | 65.7% |
| Median debt | $21,250 ✓ | $24,736 |
| Enrollment | 1,471 | 751 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1195 | — |
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 | John Brown University | Philander Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $17,484 | $13,393 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,210 | $14,606 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,655 ✓ | $16,686 |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,433 | $12,847 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $24,627 | $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 | John Brown University | Philander Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 20% | 25.4% |
| Psychology, General | 6.5% | 11.8% |
| Biology, General | 3.5% | 10.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.7% | 8.9% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.4% | 11.8% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.1% | 7.7% |
| Computer Science | 0.6% | 4.7% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 1.4% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Philander Smith University reports the lower average net price by $6,173 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $24,692 difference over four years ($56,896 vs $81,588).
John Brown University reports $15,480 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,907 vs $38,427). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.5% at John Brown University and 65.7% at Philander Smith University. Median federal debt among completers is $21,250 vs $24,736, respectively.
8 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
John Brown University vs Philander Smith University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Philander Smith University is cheaper — average net price $14,224 per year vs $20,397 at John Brown University. The annual difference of $6,173 adds up to about $24,692 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
John Brown University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,907 vs $38,427 at Philander Smith University. The gap in the federal data is $15,480. 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.