Head-to-head · 2026
University of Arkansas vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Compare average net price ($18,209 at University of Arkansas; $10,574 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith), ROI score (7.99 vs 9.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($58,191 vs $41,102), and admissions selectivity (74.3% acceptance at University of Arkansas; 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 | University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.99 | 9.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $18,209 | $10,574 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $72,836 | $42,296 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,104 | $7,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,966 | $12,182 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $58,191 ✓ | $41,102 |
| Acceptance rate | 74.3% | 80.5% |
| Graduation rate | 70.5% ✓ | 37.9% |
| Retention rate | 86.4% ✓ | 69.8% |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $18,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 28,677 | 4,091 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1169 | 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 | University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,319 | $8,890 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,322 | $9,391 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,934 | $11,392 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,772 | $13,804 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,470 | $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 | University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.2% | 18.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.9% | 5.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.9% | 4.9% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 5% | 1.1% |
| Marketing | 4.7% | 1.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.2% | 2% |
| Biology, General | 2.7% | 2.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.5% | 3.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports the lower average net price by $7,635 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $30,540 difference over four years ($42,296 vs $72,836).
University of Arkansas reports $17,089 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($58,191 vs $41,102). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86.4% at University of Arkansas and 69.8% at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Median federal debt among completers is $21,500 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Arkansas 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 $18,209 at University of Arkansas. The annual difference of $7,635 adds up to about $30,540 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Arkansas reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $58,191 vs $41,102 at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The gap in the federal data is $17,089. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Arkansas is more selective at 74.3% 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.