UAFS vs. Nelson University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas Fort Smith is larger than Nelson University based on total student enrollment (5,496 students vs. 1,794 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Nelson University 15:1.

UAFS vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Nelson 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 Nelson University ($11,159 vs. $22,359).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nelson University are 4.8% lower than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($9,598 vs. $10,082).
• Nelson University is 241.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $17,730 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.7% higher at Nelson University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $12,882 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nelson University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nelson University students is 56.5% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($12,075 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNelson University 890/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Nelson University - Required.
• Accepted freshman UAFS students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Nelson University (3.19).
• Nelson University has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

UAFS vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Nelson 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).

• Nelson University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Nelson University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,900 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $12,118 lower median loan debt than Nelson University graduates ($14,132 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nelson University graduates ($146 vs. $271).
• More Nelson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.