Head-to-head · 2026
Arkansas Baptist College vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Compare average net price ($10,627 at Arkansas Baptist College; $10,574 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), ROI score (6.69 vs 9.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($28,418 vs $41,102), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Arkansas Baptist College; 80.5% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Arkansas Baptist College | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.69 | 9.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,627 | $10,574 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $42,508 | $42,296 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,760 | $7,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,760 | $12,182 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $28,418 | $41,102 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 80.5% |
| Graduation rate | 7.4% | 37.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 23.4% | 69.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,375 | $18,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 342 | 4,091 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1050 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Arkansas Baptist College | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,715 ✓ | $8,890 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,741 | $9,391 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,496 | $11,392 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,055 | $13,804 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $14,297 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Arkansas Baptist College | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 24.3% | 18.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 8.1% | 3.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.7% | 7.5% |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 5.4% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports the lower average net price by $53 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $212 difference over four years ($42,296 vs $42,508).
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports $12,684 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,102 vs $28,418). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 23.4% at Arkansas Baptist College and 69.8% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Median federal debt among completers is $25,375 vs $18,250, respectively.
4 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Arkansas Baptist College vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is cheaper — average net price $10,574 per year vs $10,627 at Arkansas Baptist College. The annual difference of $53 adds up to about $212 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $41,102 vs $28,418 at Arkansas Baptist College. The gap in the federal data is $12,684. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.