Head-to-head · 2026
Philander Smith University vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Compare average net price ($14,224 at Philander Smith University; $14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus), ROI score (6.75 vs 7.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,427 vs $42,386), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Philander Smith University; 75.3% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus) 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 | Philander Smith University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.75 | 7.55 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,224 | $14,027 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,896 | $56,108 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,014 | $9,960 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,014 | $15,690 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,427 | $42,386 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 75.3% |
| Graduation rate | 30.4% | 48.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 65.7% | 66.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $24,736 | $18,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 751 | 2,708 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1047 |
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 | Philander Smith University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,393 | $13,187 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,606 | $12,827 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,686 | $13,790 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,847 ✓ | $15,654 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,800 ✓ | $19,244 |
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 | Philander Smith University | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 25.4% | 4.1% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.4% | 22.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8.9% | 12.4% |
| Psychology, General | 11.8% | 1.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 11.8% | 1.5% |
| Biology, General | 10.1% | 2.5% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 7.7% | 4.5% |
| Social Work | 6.5% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $197 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $788 difference over four years ($56,108 vs $56,896).
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports $3,959 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,386 vs $38,427). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.7% at Philander Smith University and 66.2% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $24,736 vs $18,750, 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
Philander Smith University vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is cheaper — average net price $14,027 per year vs $14,224 at Philander Smith University. The annual difference of $197 adds up to about $788 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,386 vs $38,427 at Philander Smith University. The gap in the federal data is $3,959. 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.