UAFS vs. Columbus State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR with Columbus State University in Columbus, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbus State University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 5,496 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting); Columbus State University is in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Columbus State University 16:1.

UAFS vs. Columbus State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Columbus State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than Columbus State ($11,159 vs. $12,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 14% lower than at Columbus State University ($10,082 vs. $11,720).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $1,436 more per year; $7,334.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at Columbus State than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $5,428 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Columbus State University (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 16.7% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($9,003 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Columbus State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or Columbus State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbus State and UAFS.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresColumbus State University 800/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresColumbus State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Columbus State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 31.8% at Columbus State.

UAFS vs. Columbus State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Columbus State? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Columbus State University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $11,868 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($14,132 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($146 vs. $268).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.