Head-to-head · 2026
Philander Smith University vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Compare average net price ($14,224 at Philander Smith University; $10,574 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), ROI score (6.75 vs 9.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,427 vs $41,102), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Philander Smith 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 | Philander Smith University | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.75 | 9.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,224 | $10,574 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,896 | $42,296 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,014 | $7,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,014 | $12,182 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,427 | $41,102 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 80.5% |
| Graduation rate | 30.4% | 37.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 65.7% | 69.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $24,736 | $18,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 751 | 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 | Philander Smith University | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,393 | $8,890 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,606 | $9,391 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,686 | $11,392 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,847 ✓ | $13,804 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,800 | $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 | Philander Smith University | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 25.4% | 18.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 11.8% | 3.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8.9% | 5.9% |
| Psychology, General | 11.8% | 1.6% |
| Biology, General | 10.1% | 2.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.4% | 7.5% |
| Social Work | 6.5% | 0.7% |
| Computer Science | 4.7% | 1.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports the lower average net price by $3,650 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,600 difference over four years ($42,296 vs $56,896).
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports $2,675 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,102 vs $38,427). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.7% at Philander Smith University and 69.8% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Median federal debt among completers is $24,736 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Philander Smith University 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 $14,224 at Philander Smith University. The annual difference of $3,650 adds up to about $14,600 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 $38,427 at Philander Smith University. The gap in the federal data is $2,675. 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.