Degree Dividend
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Philander Smith University vs Arkansas Baptist College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Little Rock AR · vs · Private nonprofit, Little Rock AR

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Philander Smith University comes closer — median earnings $38,427 against a $56,896 total, vs $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePhilander Smith UniversityArkansas Baptist College
Net price / yr$14,224$10,627
Total net cost$56,896$42,508
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,427$28,418
Median debt$24,736$25,375
Payback——
20-year net return-$255,556-$441,348

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Philander Smith University or Arkansas Baptist College?

Arkansas Baptist College, at $10,627 a year after aid versus $14,224 — a gap of $3,597 a year, or $14,388 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Philander Smith University or Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn more?

Philander Smith University graduates report a median $38,427 ten years after entry, $10,009 more than the $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Philander Smith University or Arkansas Baptist College?

Philander Smith University: its completers carry a median $24,736 in federal loans versus $25,375 at Arkansas Baptist College, a difference of $639. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

30% of students finish at Philander Smith University, against 7% at Arkansas Baptist College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Philander Smith University vs Arkansas Baptist College: frequently asked questions

Is Philander Smith University or Arkansas Baptist College a better value?
Philander Smith University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Philander Smith University or Arkansas Baptist College?
Arkansas Baptist College: $10,627/yr net price after aid versus $14,224/yr at Philander Smith University — a difference of $3,597 a year, or about $14,388 over four years.
Do Philander Smith University or Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn more?
Philander Smith University graduates earn a median $38,427 ten years after entry, versus $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College — a $10,009 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.