UAFS vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee State University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (6,310 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); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

UAFS vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State University ($11,159 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 9.6% lower than at Tennessee State University ($10,082 vs. $11,150).
• Tennessee State University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $1,282 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84% higher at Tennessee State University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $10,234 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Tennessee State University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 25.2% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($9,661 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• UAFS has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

UAFS vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Tennessee State 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.

• Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $13,868 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($14,132 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($146 vs. $289).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 29%)

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.