UAFS vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Norfolk State University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (6,053 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); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

UAFS vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than UAFS ($9,124 vs. $11,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 13% lower than at Norfolk State University ($10,082 vs. $11,591).
• Norfolk State University is 38.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $2,846 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78% higher at NSU than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $9,500 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas Fort Smith than at Norfolk State University (95% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 95.2% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($15,056 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UAFS students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at NSU (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 13.2% at NSU.

UAFS vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and NSU? 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.

• Norfolk State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Norfolk State University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $16,868 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($14,132 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $174 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($146 vs. $320).
• More UAFS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 27%)

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.