Arkansas · Little Rock
Philander Smith University
A private liberal arts college in Little Rock founded in 1877 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Snapshot
At a glance
Undergraduate enrollment
751
Admission rate
—
Retention (first-year)
66%
Completion (150% of time)
30%
Pell recipients
68%
Black undergraduate share
79%
These figures come from federal college data updated May 26, 2026. A dash means the number was not available.
Student body
Undergraduate composition
Black
79%
Hispanic
3%
White
7%
Asian
0%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
1%
Nonresident
8%
Unknown
1%
Percentages may not add to 100% when a category is not reported.
Costs
Tuition and financial aid
Tuition, in-state
$13,014
Tuition, out-of-state
$13,014
Median federal loan debt
$14,750
Federal loan recipients
58%
Pell recipients
68%
Sticker tuition only. Real cost after federal, state, and institutional aid is typically lower — see the school’s net price calculator.
Outcomes
Earnings, retention, and completion
Median earnings, 6 years
$25,254
Median earnings, 10 years
$38,427
Median debt
$14,750
Retention
66%
Completion
30%
Earnings and debt are shown only when federal data is available.
Institution
Campus and classification
Accreditor
Higher Learning Commission
Campus setting
City: midsize
Carnegie basic
Baccalaureate colleges: diverse fields
Undergraduate profile
Full-time four-year, more selective, higher transfer-in
Size and setting
Very small four-year, highly residential
Average faculty salary
$7,335 monthly
Full-time faculty share
100%
DOE unit ID
107600
These labels describe the school’s size, location, and academic mix. They are not rankings.
17 programs
Academic programs
Bachelor · 17
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- English Language and Literature, General
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Mathematics
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
- Political Science and Government
- Psychology, General
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
This is a broad program list. Check the school’s own catalog for current majors, minors, concentrations, and course details.