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Lamar University University of Houston-Downtown SFASU Tarleton Texas State UNT TAMUK Texas A&M UH A&M Commerce UTSA Texas Tech| University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Sam Houston State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
| Location | Fort Smith, AR | Huntsville, TX | ||
| Setting | Small City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 5,379 | 21,480 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #778 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | uafortsmith.edu | shsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,104 | $5,856 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $11,376 | $15,648 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,645 | $10,908 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $10,705 | $13,632 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,283 | $10,499 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 73% |
Admission |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | - | 16,316 | ||
| Admitted | - | 13,809 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.6% | |||
| Enrolled % | 24.6% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.39 | 3.25 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | |||
| SAT Range | 960/1140 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 19:1 | 20:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 23% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $35,000 | $47,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 47% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $14,132 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $146 | $222 |
Diversity |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 70% | 53% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 20% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 6% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 87% | 98% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 12% | 1% | ||
Campus |
UAFS | SHSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Sam Houston State University is larger than than UAFS based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 5,379 students)
UAFS vs. SHSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, UAFS or SHSU?
- Sam Houston State University is 42.7% more expensive to attend than UAFS for in-state tuition ($5,856.00 vs. $4,104.00)
- Out of state tuition is 37.6% higher at SHSU than University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($15,648.00 vs. $11,376.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than SHSU ($10,705 vs. $13,632)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 13.1% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,645 vs. $10,908)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than Sam Houston State University (100% vs. 73%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 26.8% larger than aid received University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($10,499 vs. $8,283)
Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or SHSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SHSU or UAFS .
- Accepted freshman UAFS students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at SHSU (3.25)
UAFS vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, UAFS or SHSU? 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 SHSU and UAFS.
- The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith (50% vs. 23%)
- Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $12,800 more per year than UAFS graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $35,000)
- University of Arkansas Fort Smith students graduate with a $7,368 lower median federal student loan debt than SHSU graduates. ($14,132 vs. $21,500)
- UAFS graduates are paying $76 less per month on federal student loans than SHSU graduates. ($146 vs. $222)
- More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/