UAFS vs. Washburn University

Comparable Facts

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

Washburn University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (6,033 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); Washburn University is in Topeka, KS (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Washburn University 15:1.

UAFS vs. Washburn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Washburn 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 Washburn University ($11,159 vs. $11,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 12.3% lower than at Washburn University ($10,082 vs. $11,501).
• Washburn University is 35.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $2,611 more per year; $9,945.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72% higher at Washburn University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $8,767 more per year; $20,949.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith as at Washburn University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washburn University students is 26.8% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($9,781 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Washburn University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Washburn University - Not reported.
• Enrolled freshman Washburn University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UAFS (3.39).

UAFS vs. Washburn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Washburn 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.

• Washburn University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Washburn University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $2,768 lower median loan debt than Washburn University graduates ($14,132 vs. $16,900).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washburn University graduates ($146 vs. $174).
• More Washburn University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.