UAFS vs. Northeastern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (5,734 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); Northeastern Illinois University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Northeastern Illinois University 9:1.

UAFS vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University ($11,159 vs. $14,140).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 3% lower than at Northeastern Illinois University ($10,082 vs. $10,390).
• Northeastern Illinois University is 68.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $5,049 more per year; $12,383.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.6% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $10,544 more per year; $22,726.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Northeastern Illinois University (95% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 66.9% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($12,876 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University and UAFS.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNortheastern Illinois University 810/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNortheastern Illinois University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1).
• UAFS has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Northeastern Illinois University (74.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University.

UAFS vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Northeastern Illinois 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.

• The graduation rate at UAFS is the same as at Northeastern Illinois University (23% vs. 23%).
• Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $368 lower median loan debt than Northeastern Illinois University graduates ($14,132 vs. $14,500).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern Illinois University graduates ($146 vs. $149).
• More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.