UAFS vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (16,291 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); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

UAFS vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAFS or WKU? 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 WKU ($11,159 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith are 19.9% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,082 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 58.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $4,318 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.6% higher at WKU than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $14,818 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 41.6% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($10,921 vs. $7,715).

UAFS vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAFS - Required; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman WKU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at UAFS (3.39).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.2% at UAFS vs. 30.2% at WKU.

UAFS vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAFS and WKU? 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.

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $10,118 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($14,132 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($146 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.