AAMU vs. UAFS

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alabama A & M University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (7,295 students vs. 5,496 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); University of Arkansas Fort Smith is in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1.

AAMU vs. UAFS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or UAFS? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than AAMU ($11,159 vs. $17,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 11.6% lower than at Alabama A & M University ($10,082 vs. $11,402).
• Alabama A & M University is 36.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $2,690 more per year; $10,024.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at AAMU than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $6,452 more per year; $18,634.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Alabama A & M University (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama A & M University students is 66.5% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($12,844 vs. $7,715).

AAMU vs. UAFS Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or UAFS? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UAFS and AAMU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Alabama A & M University 810/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Alabama A & M University 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; UAFS - Required.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at AAMU (3.02).
• UAFS has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than AAMU (58%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at AAMU vs. 40.2% at UAFS.

AAMU vs. UAFS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and UAFS? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Alabama A & M University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of about $700 more per year than AAMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,000 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $20,868 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($14,132 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $215 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($146 vs. $361).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.