University of Arkansas Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a public research university in Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving roughly 4,091 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 80.46% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $41,102 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $7,334
- 2024 Average Net Price: $10,574 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 80.46% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,091 78.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 37.88%
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
- First-Generation Students: 48.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 12.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 6.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 60.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1050
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,040
- Applicants (IPEDS): 2,677
- Room & Board: $10,082 annual estimate
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (ZIP 72913-3649).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith public or private?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a Public institution.
How much does University of Arkansas-Fort Smith cost?
Published tuition: $7,334 in-state, $12,182 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $10,574.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $8,890 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,391 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,392 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,804 |
| $110,001+ | $14,297 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $29,336.
How hard is it to get into University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
Admission rate: 80.46%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1050.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
Total enrollment: 4,091 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 6,040 students.
Graduate enrollment: 37 students.
About 78% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
150%-time completion rate: 37.88%.
First-year retention: 69.8%.
What do graduates of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith earn?
Median earnings: $35,925 six years after entry; $41,102 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $18,250.
39.10% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (309 completions)
- General Studies (295 completions)
- Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician (134 completions)
- Welding Technology/Welder (133 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (107 completions)
- Organizational Leadership (83 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (67 completions)
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching (63 completions)
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician (49 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (43 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 80.46%; completion rate 37.88%; median earnings $41,102 at 10 years; net price $10,574. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$7,334
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith was $7,334.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$10,574
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $10,574.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$42,296 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$10,574 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$29,336 4-Year In-State Tuition
$48,728 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$10,082 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,416 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$18,832 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$75,328 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Financial Aid by Income Level
39.10% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
25.65% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $4,528 | $10,072 | $6,891 |
| 2014 | $4,727 | $10,511 | $7,536 |
| 2015 | $5,062 | $11,302 | $7,425 |
| 2016 | $5,390 | $12,038 | $8,568 |
| 2017 | $5,577 | $12,650 | $10,417 |
| 2018 | $5,593 | $12,666 | $10,397 |
| 2019 | $5,754 | $13,026 | $9,637 |
| 2020 | $5,754 | $13,026 | $9,062 |
| 2021 | $5,754 | $13,026 | $9,336 |
| 2022 | $6,168 | $13,440 | $10,737 |
| 2023 | $6,906 | $13,770 | $10,097 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
80.46% Acceptance Rate
2,677 Total Applicants
2,181 Students Admitted
886 First-Time Students Enrolled
40.62% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1050
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reported total enrollment of about 4,091 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (56.3%), Hispanic or Latino (20.0%), and Two or More Races (10.5%). About 39.10% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 48.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
78.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in 2024 is 4,091 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 6,040 students. Graduate enrollment is about 37 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
69.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 56.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
24.90% 100% Completion Time
37.88% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 24.90% of students graduating from University of Arkansas-Fort Smith completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 26% male / 74% female
- General Studies: 42% male / 58% female
- Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician: 92% male / 8% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Return on Investment
$18,250 Median Student Debt
$41,102 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
44.40% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
871.77% Return on Investment
4.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 69 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 309 completions
2. General Studies: 295 completions
3. Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician: 134 completions
4. Welding Technology/Welder: 133 completions
5. Business Administration and Management, General: 107 completions
6. Organizational Leadership: 83 completions
7. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 67 completions
8. Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 63 completions
9. Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician: 49 completions
Most popular programs at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 60.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,331
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,595
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a public institution located in Fort Smith, AR, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, General Studies, Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician. Enrollment is approximately 4,091 students. Student body composition includes White (56.3%), Hispanic or Latino (20.0%), Two or More Races (10.5%). The admission rate is 80.46%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1050. The 150%-time completion rate is 37.88%. Approximately 39.10% of students receive Pell Grants. About 48.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Location
Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 37.88% graduation rate at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 69 distinct degree programs, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith located?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR.
What is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is 80.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,677 applicants and 2,181 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Arkansas-Fort Smith cost?
Reported tuition is $7,334 and average net price is $10,574 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,082 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports undergraduate enrollment of about 6,040 students, White (56.3%), Hispanic or Latino (20.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
About 48.4% of students at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith reports midpoint SAT about 1050.
What do graduates of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith earn?
Median earnings are $35,925 six years after entry and $41,102 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
The 150%-time completion rate is 37.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Arkansas-Fort Smith students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,250.
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith public or private?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a public institution located in Fort Smith, AR.
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith an HBCU?
No. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith a tribal college?
No. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Arkansas college costs
- Arkansas colleges by ROI
- Fort Smith, Arkansas city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Arkansas
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.