UAFS vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (15,271 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); Minnesota State University Mankato is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1.

UAFS vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato ($11,159 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 18.8% lower than at Minnesota State University Mankato ($10,082 vs. $12,420).
• Minnesota State University Mankato is 30.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $2,238 more per year; $9,572.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at Minnesota State University-Mankato than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $6,760 more per year; $18,942.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Minnesota State University Mankato (95% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($7,715 vs. $5,325).

UAFS vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAFS or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato and UAFS.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresMinnesota State University Mankato 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Minnesota State University-Mankato (3.37).
• Minnesota State University-Mankato has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

UAFS vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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.

• Minnesota State University Mankato's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $8,443 lower median loan debt than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($14,132 vs. $22,575).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($146 vs. $233).
• More Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.