PSC's tuition & fees has increased from $12,564 (2015) to $13,014 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 3.58% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from - (year 2015) to $21,600 (year 2025).
PSC's tuition increase rate is lower than the Arkansas's average increase rate of 11.99%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is lower than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 13.02% from 2015 ($25,240).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, PSC's COA is $28,526, which is same as last year cost.
The following table and chart show changes to PSC's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 3.58% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $11,804. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Philander Smith University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,200, and it has increased 20.00% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,000 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $1,000 | |
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| 2018-19 | $1,200 | 20.00% |
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| 2019-20 | $1,200 | |
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| 2020-21 | $1,200 | |
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| 2021-22 | $1,200 | |
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| 2022-23 | $1,200 | |
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| 2023-24 | $1,200 | |
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| 2024-25 | $1,200 | |
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Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 13.93% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 21.67% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Philander Smith University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $11,676 | $15,331 | - |
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| 2016-17 | $11,676 | $15,331 | |
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| 2017-18 | $11,676 | $15,331 | |
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| 2018-19 | $11,793 | $16,551 | 1.00% |
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| 2019-20 | $11,891 | $17,013 | 0.83% |
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| 2020-21 | $11,950 | $17,286 | 0.50% |
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| 2021-22 | $11,998 | $17,510 | 0.40% |
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| 2022-23 | $11,998 | $17,510 | |
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| 2023-24 | $14,312 | $20,154 | 19.29% |
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| 2024-25 | $14,312 | $20,154 | |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Philander Smith University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Philander Smith University | $13,014 | $13,014 | - |
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|
| Harding University | $25,962 | $24,888 | 4.32% |
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|
| John Brown University | $31,756 | $30,832 | 3.00% |
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|
| Ouachita Baptist University | $34,500 | $32,480 | 6.22% |
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|
| Hendrix College | $38,200 | $36,650 | 4.23% |
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|
| Arkansas Colleges of Health Education | $0 | - | - |
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