Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (UAFS) is a regional public university with an open-access mission, offering practical, career-focused education in over 70 programs. Known for its affordability and strong support for first-generation and non-traditional students, UAFS blends hands-on learning with a tight-knit campus community. While graduation rates lag behind national averages, its nursing, business, and industrial tech programs deliver solid ROI for Arkansas and border-state students.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
4,091
In-state tuition
$7,334
Out-of-state tuition
$12,182
Popular Majors
Business, Nursing, Industrial Electronics
4-Year Grad Rate
25%
Students Receiving Aid
94%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$41,102
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.9×
Median debt at graduation
$18,250
Graduation rate
38%
First-year retention
70%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
52%
Pell (lower-income) share
39%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
48%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$61,681
Computer and Information Sciences, General$61,218
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions$55,964
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$53,810
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$35,416
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.24
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
74
Summer high
90°F
Winter low
34°F
Annual rain
52.3"
Annual snow
4.2"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
57
Scholarly works
1,000
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's acceptance rate is approximately 80% (Fort Smith, AR), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does University of Arkansas-Fort Smith cost?
At University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, the average net price (after aid) is about $10,574 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith enrolls approximately 4,091 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith located?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR.
Admissions
UAFS operates with a near-open admissions policy, accepting 98% of applicants according to U.S. News, though PrepScholar reports an 81.5% rate. Admitted students typically have a B average (3.39 GPA) and mid-range test scores (ACT 18-23, SAT 970-1140). The university guarantees admission to Arkansas residents who meet minimum benchmarks: 19 ACT or 1010 SAT with subsection scores of 13 Math/15 Reading/15 English. Notably, 94% of first-year students receive financial aid, making it accessible to a broad demographic.
UAFS offers 70+ programs across master’s, bachelor’s, associate degrees, and technical certificates. The curriculum leans pragmatic, with as top majors. A 2020 economic impact study highlighted the university’s role in workforce development, with graduates earning . The academic environment emphasizes applied learning—think lab-heavy nursing simulations and industry partnerships for tech students. While not a research powerhouse, its provides continuing education for regional professionals.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$35,274
Chemistry$33,993
Business Administration, Management and Operations$32,071
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
With a commuter-heavy population, UAFS fosters connection through 100+ student organizations, including active LGBTQ+ and cultural clubs. The Office of Campus and Community Engagement orchestrates events like twilight campus tours and local volunteer opportunities. Instagram reveals a casual, supportive vibe—think students grilling at Lion Pride Day or studying in the glass-walled Boreham Library. While lacking big-time sports (it’s NCAA Division II), intramurals and esports fill the gap. The university leans into its Arkansas-Oklahoma border location, offering discounted tuition ($228/credit) for neighboring states.
Graduation rates are a pain point: 25% graduate in 4 years, 31% in 6 years (per U.S. News and Arkansas Consumer Guide). However, ROI shines for certain programs—nursing grads report a $41K median salary, and the university claims its degrees $373M+ in collective lifetime earnings. The 150% completion rate (6 years for bachelor’s) sits at 37.4%, reflecting challenges with retention but also its mission to serve non-traditional learners. Career services emphasize local job placement, with strong pipelines to Fort Smith’s manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
UAFS is a budget-friendly option, with in-state tuition at $7,334/year and a of $10,387 after aid. A staggering 94-95% of first-years receive grants/scholarships, averaging $9,791 per recipient. Border-state students pay just $228/credit—a steal compared to private colleges. The financial aid office aggressively packages federal Pell Grants with Arkansas’ state-funded scholarships, making it feasible for low-income students. One caveat: four-year graduation rates mean some incur extra years of costs.
UAFS carves its niche as a no-frills, high-access institution for Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. Its border-state tuition discount and near-universal aid policy make it a pragmatic choice for and working-class students. While graduation metrics lag, programs like nursing and industrial tech deliver strong local employment outcomes. The campus culture—more ‘community hub’ than ‘rah-rah college experience’—suits students who want career-ready skills without debt. For those committed to finishing, it’s one of Arkansas’ best values.
