Arkansas State University vs. UAFS

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 5,496 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); University of Arkansas Fort Smith is in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting).
• Arkansas State 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: Arkansas State University 17:1; University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1.

Arkansas State University vs. UAFS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University ($11,159 vs. $12,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 12.7% lower than at Arkansas State University ($10,082 vs. $11,550).
• Arkansas State University is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $756 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at Arkansas State University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $2,340 more per year; $14,522.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 73.6% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($13,395 vs. $7,715).

Arkansas State University vs. UAFS Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arkansas State University 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arkansas State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; UAFS - Required.
• Enrolled freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UAFS (3.39).
• Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 40.2% at UAFS.

Arkansas State University vs. UAFS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University 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.

• Arkansas State University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Arkansas State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $5,368 lower median loan debt than Arkansas State University graduates ($14,132 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas State University graduates ($146 vs. $201).
• More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 47%)

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.