UAFS vs. Friends University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas Fort Smith is larger than Friends University based on total student enrollment (5,496 students vs. 1,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting); Friends University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Friends University 12:1.

UAFS vs. Friends University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Friends 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 Friends University ($11,159 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 10.7% lower than at Friends University ($10,082 vs. $11,295).
• Friends University is 366.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $26,858 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.7% higher at Friends University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $22,010 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 179.7% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($21,579 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Friends University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or Friends University? 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 Friends University and UAFS.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresFriends University 960/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresFriends University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Friends University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Friends University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UAFS (3.39).
• UAFS has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Friends University (55.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 44.7% at Friends University.

UAFS vs. Friends University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Friends University? 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.

• Friends University's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Friends University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $10,380 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($14,132 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($146 vs. $253).
• More Friends University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.