How do I schedule a campus tour at Philander Smith University?

Visits to Philander Smith University are by appointment — request a time at https://www.philander.edu/admissions/visit/. No fixed tour times published. Arrange a campus visit through admissions — admissions@philander.edu or 501-370-5221.

What is the nearest airport to Philander Smith University?

The nearest major airport is Memphis (MEM), about 132 miles away.

Where can I stay when visiting Philander Smith University?

Hotels near campus include Check local hotels, Check budget options. See the visit-planning section on this page for details.

Philander Smith University Campus Tours & Visits — Little Rock, AR

Known for business — close-knit campus

Philander Smith University is a private institution in Little Rock with particular strength in business and biology.

A small campus of 842 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

32% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,427 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,360.

Established

1877

Type

Private historically black college

Conference

National Association of

Division

Division III

—

Acceptance

—

SAT Avg

842

Undergrads

12:1

Student : Faculty

32%

Grad Rate (4yr)

$38,427

Earnings 10yr

$15,360

Avg Net Price

Rankings

U.S. News

2025

#28

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Panthers

BasketballBasketball history

History & Fun Facts

•Philander Smith University was officially founded in 1877 under the name of Walden Seminary to provide educational opportunities for emancipated slaves west of the Mississippi River.
•In 1882 the school was renamed Philander Smith College in honor of the financial contributions of Adeline Smith, widow of Philander Smith.
•It was chartered as a four-year college in 1883 and conferred its first bachelor's degree in 1888.

Source: Wikipedia

Schools Like This

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Fort Smith, AR · Urban · Private

University of the Ozarks

Clarksville, AR · Town · Private

58% accept1088 SAT$13,630 net

Williams Baptist University

Walnut Ridge, AR · Rural · Private

59% accept1018 SAT$15,875 net

Lyon College

Batesville, AR · Town · Private

66% accept$22,670 net

Typical Application Requirements

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

Verify at source →

Official High School Transcript

Verify at source →

School Report + Counselor Recommendation

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Two Teacher Recommendations

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SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

Check current test policy

Verify at source →

Philander Smith University Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

Verify at source →

CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

Verify at source →

Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

Verify at source →

Interview (recommended)Optional

Verify at source →

Get access to view details →

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$13,014

Room & Board$10,000

Books & Supplies$1,200

Total Cost of Attendance$26,729

Average Net Price$15,360

Median Debt at Graduation$24,736

Monthly Payment (10yr)$262

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,661

$30–48K$14,460

$48–75K$15,092

$75–110K$20,335

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

37.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,750

Programs (17)

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate32.3%

Freshman Retention67.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$25,254

10 Years$38,427

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

67%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads

842

Gender Split

52% / 48%

Women / Men

First Generation

43%

Pell Grant Recipients

71%

Race & Ethnicity

White 4%

Black 79%

Hispanic 4%

Two+ 1%

Int'l 8%

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

93Average

Estimated from AR state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

St. Louispop. 290K

292 mi(506 min)

Dallaspop. 1.3M

293 mi(508 min)

Nashvillepop. 690K

325 mi(563 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MEMMemphis132 mi

STLSt Louis297 mi

DFWDallas-Fort Worth301 mi

Distance to Cities

St. Louis, MO292 mi

~8h 26m drive

Dallas, TX293 mi

~8h 28m drive

Nashville, TN325 mi

~9h 23m drive

Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Budget

Philander Smith University

Rankings

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Panthers

History & Fun Facts

Schools Like This

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

University of the Ozarks

Williams Baptist University

Lyon College

Typical Application Requirements

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Net Price by Family Income

Debt & Aid Detail

Programs (17)

Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Student Body

Race & Ethnicity

Campus Safety

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

Climate (School Year)

Nearest Cities

Getting There

Nearest Airports

Distance to Cities

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Plan Your Visit

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