UAFS vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Southern University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (8,704 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); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

UAFS vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or TSU? 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 TSU ($11,159 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 21.2% lower than at Texas Southern University ($10,082 vs. $12,800).
• Texas Southern University is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $1,839 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.3% higher at TSU than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $9,291 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith as at Texas Southern University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Southern University students is 27.3% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($9,823 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. TSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresTexas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresTexas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at TSU (3.0).
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 17.9% at TSU.

UAFS vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and TSU? 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.

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith's six-year graduation rate (23%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from Texas Southern University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $15,226 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($14,132 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $157 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($146 vs. $303).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 22%)

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.