Dillard University vs Philander Smith College
Dillard University and Philander Smith College, both esteemed historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), offer unique educational experiences to their students. Dillard, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, boasts a higher acceptance rate (58%) compared to Philander Smith's (49%) in Little Rock, Arkansas. While Dillard's student body is predominantly female (63%), Philander Smith has a more balanced gender ratio. Both institutions excel in different areas of study; Dillard is known for its strong programs in biological and biomedical sciences, while Philander Smith shines in business, management, and marketing. With graduation rates of 39% and 33% respectively, both universities are committed to supporting their students towards degree completion. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional HBCUs and find the institution that best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Dillard University |
![]() Philander Smith College |
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Overview |
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Location | New Orleans, Louisiana | Little Rock, Arkansas |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 73.0% | 55.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Methodism |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 55.2% | Open Admission |
Application fees | $36 | $25 |
SAT range | 960 - 1120 | N/A |
ACT range | 18 - 23 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 14.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 62.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 6,188 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,417 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 326 | |
Yield rate | 9.5% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $35,539 | $31,724 |
Average net price | $19,000 | $14,396 |
Tuition | $17,410 | $11,804 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,156
Meal plan:
$4,310
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Room/dormitory:
$5,192
Meal plan:
$3,058
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $14,581 |
98.0%
Average amount $11,505 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
99.0%
Average amount $4,651 |
57.0%
Average amount $5,451 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $7,163 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,202
Men 22.8% Women 77.2% |
710
Men 36.1% Women 63.9% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 36.9% | N/A |
International students | 0.2% | 5.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 661 | 522 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Louisiana Texas California Tennessee Mississippi | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 52.0% | 28.2% |
Dropout rate | 47.0% | 68.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biological and Physical Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
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