Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith worth it?
Pay $10,574/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $41,102 ten years out — about 3.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith vs Arkansas avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Arkansas college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Arkansas avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $10,574 | $16,700 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $41,102 | $45,607 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $18,250 | $21,824 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 37.9% | 46.4% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 80.5% | 69.7% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $76,192 over four years. Most students get $8,474/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $18,250 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 44% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Arkansas-Fort Smith grad earns about -$155,920 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
The average student at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith pays $10,574 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $19,048 published sticker price. That is below the AR average net price of $16,700.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $41,102 — below the AR median of $45,607. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $18,250, roughly $198 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 44% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Arkansas colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $10,574 per year. That's $8,474/yr in financial aid against the $19,048 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $42,296.
How much do University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates earn a median of $41,102 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,250 — about $198/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 25.7% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Arkansas-Fort Smith a value grade of B — top 30% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $10,574/yr, earn $41,102/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.72. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
39.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 25.7% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,474 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
In-state tuition is $7,334 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $12,182 per year — a difference of $4,848/yr or $19,392 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $8,890. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $14,297. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →