Head-to-head · 2026
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Compare average net price ($14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus; $10,574 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), ROI score (7.55 vs 9.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,386 vs $41,102), and admissions selectivity (75.3% acceptance at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus; 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 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.55 | 9.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,027 | $10,574 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,108 | $42,296 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,960 | $7,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,690 | $12,182 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,386 ✓ | $41,102 |
| Acceptance rate | 75.3% | 80.5% |
| Graduation rate | 48.8% ✓ | 37.9% |
| Retention rate | 66.2% | 69.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $18,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,708 | 4,091 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1047 | 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 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,187 | $8,890 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,827 | $9,391 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,790 | $11,392 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,654 | $13,804 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,244 | $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 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 22.4% | 7.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.1% | 18.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 12.4% | 5.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 7% | 0.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.4% | 4.9% |
| Biology, General | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.5% | 3.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.8% | 2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports the lower average net price by $3,453 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,812 difference over four years ($42,296 vs $56,108).
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports $1,284 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,386 vs $41,102). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.2% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and 69.8% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Median federal debt among completers is $18,750 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
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 $14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. The annual difference of $3,453 adds up to about $13,812 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,386 vs $41,102 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The gap in the federal data is $1,284. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is more selective at 75.3% acceptance vs 80.5% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
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.