University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at a Glance
The University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS) is a public university in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States. Part of the University of Arkansas System, UAFS is the sixth-largest university in Arkansas with a fall 2020 enrollment of approximately 6,500 students.
1928
98 years old
$84M
$83.7 million (2019)
5,887
220
168 acres
Identity
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $41,102 — 24% below average — while paying $10,574/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 37% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Arkansas-Fort Smith compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #80 of 141 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #80 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | 36 | $10,574 | $41,102 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in AR.
Best Programs at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
The highest-earning program at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $60,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $20,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from University of Arkansas-Fort Smith earns $60,300, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $20,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $16,756 in median debt vs. $14,500 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,574/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $60,300 | $60,300 | $16,756 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,200 | $59,200 | $16,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,800 | $45,800 | $20,098 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,500 | $35,500 | $15,870 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,200 | $34,200 | $18,133 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $31,400 | $31,400 | $15,125 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,700 | $29,700 | $12,325 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,700 | $26,700 | $15,811 |
| Marketing | $26,200 | $26,200 | $14,051 |
| Psychology, General | $25,700 | $25,700 | $16,000 |
| History | $24,600 | $24,600 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $22,900 | $22,900 | $15,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $20,600 | $20,600 | $14,500 |
Similar Colleges in AR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fort Smith, AR
- Student Body
- 4,091 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,574
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,102
- Median Student Debt
- $18,250