UAFS vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas Fort Smith is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (5,496 students vs. 254 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Cottey College 6:1.

UAFS vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Cottey College? 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 Cottey College ($11,159 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 10.3% lower than at Cottey College ($10,082 vs. $11,240).
• Cottey College is 275.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $20,228 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 126.3% higher at Cottey College than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $15,380 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 218.4% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($24,565 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or Cottey College? 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 Cottey College and UAFS.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have the same average high school GPA (3.39) as students at Cottey College (3.39).
• UAFS has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

UAFS vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Cottey College? 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.

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith's six-year graduation rate is 23%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Cottey College.
• Graduates from University of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,000 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $2,132 lower median loan debt than UAFS graduates ($12,000 vs. $14,132).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAFS graduates ($124 vs. $146).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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.