Head-to-head · 2026
Arkansas State University vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Compare average net price ($12,366 at Arkansas State University; $10,574 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), ROI score (8.62 vs 9.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,617 vs $41,102), and admissions selectivity (82.3% acceptance at Arkansas State University; 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 State University | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.62 | 9.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $12,366 | $10,574 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $49,464 | $42,296 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,090 | $7,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,522 | $12,182 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,617 ✓ | $41,102 |
| Acceptance rate | 82.3% | 80.5% |
| Graduation rate | 55.4% ✓ | 37.9% |
| Retention rate | 78.1% ✓ | 69.8% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $18,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,110 | 4,091 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1090 | 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 State University | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,098 | $8,890 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,255 ✓ | $9,391 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,205 | $11,392 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,839 | $13,804 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,444 | $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 State University | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15.1% | 7.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.5% | 18.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.7% | 4.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.1% | 5.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 6% | 1.2% |
| Psychology, General | 2.9% | 1.6% |
| Biology, General | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.2% | 2.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports the lower average net price by $1,792 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,168 difference over four years ($42,296 vs $49,464).
Arkansas State University reports $1,515 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,617 vs $41,102). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.1% at Arkansas State University and 69.8% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Median federal debt among completers is $20,500 vs $18,250, respectively.
8 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.
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Frequently asked
Arkansas State University vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, answered
4 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 $12,366 at Arkansas State University. The annual difference of $1,792 adds up to about $7,168 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Arkansas State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,617 vs $41,102 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The gap in the federal data is $1,515. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is more selective at 80.5% acceptance vs 82.3% at Arkansas State University.
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.