UAFS vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas Fort Smith is larger than MWSU based on total student enrollment (5,496 students vs. 3,716 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is located in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

UAFS vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or MWSU? 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 MWSU ($11,159 vs. $13,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 18.1% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($10,082 vs. $12,311).
• Missouri Western State University is 40.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $2,972 more per year; $10,306.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at MWSU than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $8,684 more per year; $20,866.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Western State University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($9,245 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

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

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; MWSU - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at MWSU (3.25).

UAFS vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and MWSU? 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.

• Missouri Western State University's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Missouri Western State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,500 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $7,686 lower median loan debt than MWSU graduates ($14,132 vs. $21,818).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWSU graduates ($146 vs. $225).
• More MWSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.