Wilberforce University vs Philander Smith College

Wilberforce University and Philander Smith College, both historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), offer unique educational experiences for students seeking a transformative learning environment. Wilberforce University, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, boasts a rich history dating back to 1856 and is known for its strong liberal arts and sciences programs. Philander Smith College, situated in Little Rock, Arkansas, has a legacy of academic excellence since 1877 and is renowned for its focus on social justice and community engagement. While both institutions share a commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal goals.
Philander Smith College logo

Philander Smith College

Wilberforce University logo

Wilberforce University

Overview

Location Little Rock, Arkansas Wilberforce, Ohio
Campus setting City: Midsize Rural: Fringe
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 55.0% 58.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation Methodism Methodism

Admission

Acceptance rate Open Admission 38.8%
Application fees $25
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $40
SAT range N/A 780 - 1147
ACT range N/A 15 - 20
Students submitting SAT score 1.0%
Students submitting ACT score 72.0%
Total number of applicants 2,531
Total number of admissions given out 982
Admitted students who chose to enroll 150
Yield rate 15.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A
High school GPA N/A Required
Recommendation letters N/A Not required
High school transcript N/A Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) N/A Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $31,724 $23,100
Average net price $14,396 $11,830
Tuition $11,804 $12,020
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,192

Meal plan: $3,058
Room/dormitory: $4,000

Meal plan: $3,000
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

98.0%
Average amount $11,505
94.0%
Average amount $11,620
Students receiving federal student loan 57.0%
Average amount $5,451
46.0%
Average amount $5,335
Students taking out private loans 0.0%
Average amount $0
0.0%
Average amount $0

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 710
Men 36.1% Women 63.9%
544
Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Graduate students N/A 13
Men 46.2% Women 53.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 5.4% N/A
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Rural: Fringe
Dormitory capacity 522 346
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Social Sciences
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 19:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 28.2% 18.4%
Dropout rate 68.8% 80.0%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,677
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $34,628
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,231
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: $28,884
Biological and Physical Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $25,774
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $20,140
  • Year 3: N/A
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,085
  • Year 2: $36,668
  • Year 3: $39,645
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $30,409
  • Year 3: N/A