UAFS vs. Alcorn State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas Fort Smith is larger than Alcorn State University based on total student enrollment (5,496 students vs. 2,995 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting); Alcorn State University is in Alcorn State, MS (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alcorn State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Alcorn State University 16:1.

UAFS vs. Alcorn State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Alcorn State University? 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 Alcorn State University ($11,159 vs. $12,376).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 17.4% lower than at Alcorn State University ($10,082 vs. $12,204).
• Alcorn State University is 19.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $1,451 more per year; $8,785.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.7% higher at UAFS than at Alcorn State University (about $3,397 more per year; $12,182.00 vs. $8,785.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Alcorn State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alcorn State University students is 47.4% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($11,375 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Alcorn State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or Alcorn State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Alcorn State University and UAFS.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAlcorn State University 670/998.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAlcorn State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Alcorn State University - Required.
• Accepted freshman UAFS students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Alcorn State University (3.2).
• UAFS has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Alcorn State University (45.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 20.6% at Alcorn State University.

UAFS vs. Alcorn State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Alcorn State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Alcorn State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Alcorn State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,000 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $14,118 lower median loan debt than Alcorn State University graduates ($14,132 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alcorn State University graduates ($146 vs. $292).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alcorn State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 34%)

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.