Henderson State University vs. UAFS

Should I go to Henderson State University or University of Arkansas Fort Smith? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Henderson State University or UAFS is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Henderson State University vs. University of Arkansas Fort Smith comparison
Henderson State University University of Arkansas Fort Smith College 3 College 4
Henderson State University
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Overview

 Henderson State University UAFS
Location Arkadelphia, AR Fort Smith, AR
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 2,519 5,379
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #976
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hsu.edu uafortsmith.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Henderson State University UAFS
Tuition (In State) $5,880 $4,104
Tuition (Out of State) $8,088 $11,376
Room & Board $9,558 $9,645
Avg Net Price $17,656 $10,705
Avg Grant Aid $9,580 $8,283
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 100%

Admission

 Henderson State University UAFS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,345 -
Admitted 1,657 -
Acceptance Rate 70.7%
Enrolled % 24.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.39
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 903/1073
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Henderson State University UAFS
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Precision Production Trades (10%)
  • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (10%)

Outcomes

 Henderson State University UAFS
Graduation Rate 31% 23%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $35,000
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $14,132
Median Loan Payment $201 $146

Diversity

 Henderson State University UAFS
% Men 40% 40%
% Women 60% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 70%
% Black 24% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 11%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 6%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 Henderson State University UAFS
% In-State 81% 87%
% Out-of-State 19% 12%

Campus

 Henderson State University UAFS
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Arkansas Fort Smith is larger than than Henderson State University based on total student enrollment (5,379 students vs. 2,519 students)

Henderson State University vs. UAFS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University or UAFS?

  • Henderson State University is 43.3% more expensive to attend than UAFS for in-state tuition ($5,880.00 vs. $4,104.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.7% higher at UAFS than Henderson State University ($11,376.00 vs. $8,088.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than Henderson State University ($10,705 vs. $17,656)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Henderson State University are 0.9% lower than costs at University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($9,558 vs. $9,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than Henderson State University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Henderson State University students is 15.7% larger than aid received University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($9,580 vs. $8,283)

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University or UAFS? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UAFS or Henderson State University .

  • Accepted freshman UAFS students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Henderson State University (3.23)

Henderson State University vs. UAFS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Henderson State University or UAFS? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UAFS and Henderson State University.

  • The graduation rate at Henderson State University is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith (31% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Henderson State University earn on average $3,400 more per year than UAFS graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $35,000)
  • University of Arkansas Fort Smith students graduate with a $5,368 lower median federal student loan debt than Henderson State University graduates. ($14,132 vs. $19,500)
  • UAFS graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Henderson State University graduates. ($146 vs. $201)
  • More Henderson State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/