UAFS vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 5,496 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Columbia College 20:1.

UAFS vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College ($11,159 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 5.3% lower than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($9,552 vs. $10,082).
• Columbia College is 252.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $18,492 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112% higher at Columbia College than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $13,644 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Columbia College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 105.9% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($15,882 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and UAFS.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at UAFS (3.39).

UAFS vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Columbia College? 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $7,902 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($14,132 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($146 vs. $227).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 40%)

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.