- UA Fort Smith is a unique regional university. The institution will raise the education achievement level by providing high quality baccalaureate, associate, and certificate programs and a wide range of credit and noncredit educational services for its six-county Western Arkansas service area. Education and training services designed to meet the workforce education and retraining needs of business and industry throughout the region are a direct support responsibility of UA Fort Smith.
School Highlights
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith serves 5,496 students (62% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 22:1 is same as the state community college average of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 38%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 5,496 students
- In-state tuition: $4,727
- Out-state tuition: $10,511
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
- Minority enrollment: 41%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Resources
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 247 teachers has declined by 56% over five years.
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
(AR) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Colors
Blue and White
Total Faculty
247 staff
61 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has declined by 10% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 22:1 has increased from 11:1 over five years.
The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith diversity score of 0.60 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,496 students
1,285 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
22:1
# Full-Time Students
3,383 students
440 students
# Part-Time Students
2,113 students
845 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
425 students
544 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,376 students
440 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
7 students
7 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,083 students
845 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
30 students
30 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
1%
% Asian
5%
2%
% Hispanic
19%
12%
% Black
4%
17%
% White
59%
62%
% Two or more races
10%
4%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
Diversity Score
0.60
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
26%
23%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,500
$27,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $4,727 is more than the state average of $2,994. The in-state tuition has declined by 17% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,511 is more than the state average of $4,750. The out-state tuition has declined by 19% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,727
$2,994
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,511
$4,750
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
99%
92%
Median Debt for Graduates
$17,782
$9,673
Median Debt for Dropouts
$7,000
$5,300
Acceptance Rate
80%
95%
SAT Total Avg.
1,575
1,575
SAT Reading
540
540
SAT Math
520
520
SAT Writing
515
515
ACT Total Avg.
65
65
ACT Composite
22
22
ACT English
22
22
ACT Math
21
21
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- School Mascot: Numa The Lion
- The University includes bachelor-level programs, traditional transfer and career programs, as well as the Center for Business and Professional Development and the University Center. UA Fort Smith has experienced substantial growth in enrollments, faculty, facilities, and curricula. UA Fort Smith has indeed become an integral part of the community, offering a wide range of educational, occupational, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Our high-quality, high-attention degree programs include business, engineering, nursing, and a one-of-a-kind major in historical interpretation. And our associate's degree and certificate programs form an enduring foundation for rewarding technical and service careers. UA Fort Smith provides a variety of public service activities for the people and organizations within its service area. Included are non-credit courses, seminars, workshops, lectures, travel, telecourses, and teleconferences organized by the University's Center for Business and Professional Development. As a unique institution, UA Fort Smith provides certificates of proficiency, technical certificates, associate of arts degrees, associate of general studies, associate of applied science degrees, and bachelor's degrees as well as work-based learning and community education. All courses and programs are designed to meet specific needs of the community. At UA Fort Smith, we felt it was our duty to create a living and learning environment that was as beautiful and well-appointed. The Boreham Library, with tens of thousands of books, periodicals, and microfilms files and maintains subscriptions to several online databases, offers world class research and learning tools to our students and Fort Smith neighbors. The Baldor Technology Center can provide quality educational and technological programs to more than 1000 students per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does University of Arkansas-Fort Smith cost?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's tuition is approximately $4,727 for In-State students and $10,511 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
The acceptance rate of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is 80%, which is lower than the state average of 95%.
What is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's ranking?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ranks among the top 20% of community college in Arkansas for: Diversity in US community colleges, Percent of students receiving financial aid and Largest student body.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is Carl Albert State College (27.8 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Carl Albert State College
Public
1507 S McKenna
Poteau, OK 74953
(918) 647-1200
Poteau, OK 74953
(918) 647-1200
27.8 miles
Enrollment: 1,851 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 In-state tuition: $3,003 Out-state tuition: $6,210 Minority enrollment: 51%
Connors State College
Public
700 College Road
Warner, OK 74469
(918) 463-2931
Warner, OK 74469
(918) 463-2931
53.0 miles
Enrollment: 2,376 students Student-teacher ratio: 50:1 In-state tuition: $3,563 Out-state tuition: $8,136 Minority enrollment: 61%
1100 College Dr
Mena, AR 71953
(479) 394-7622
Mena, AR 71953
(479) 394-7622
55.5 miles
Enrollment: 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $1,605 Out-state tuition: $3,450 Minority enrollment: 22%
2403 N 41st St E
Muskogee, OK 74403
(918) 687-6383
Muskogee, OK 74403
(918) 687-6383
59.1 miles
Enrollment: 1,491 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Acceptance rate: 35% Minority enrollment: 66%
Bacone College
Private not-for-profit
2299 Old Bacone Rd
Muskogee, OK 74403
(918) 683-4581
Muskogee, OK 74403
(918) 683-4581
60.7 miles
Enrollment: 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Acceptance rate: 55% Private-state tuition: $14,050 Minority enrollment: 96%
Recent Articles
As Four-Year Colleges Enter Short-Term Training, Should You Still Choose a Community College?
As universities expand short-term workforce certificates, learn how community colleges compare on cost, flexibility, employer partnerships, and career outcomes.
What New Federal Aid Rules Mean for Short-Term Training Choices
Learn how new federal financial aid rules affect short-term workforce training programs and what prospective community college students should consider before enrolling.
Childcare, Transportation, and Food Support: Services That Drive Community College Completion
Learn how childcare, transportation, food assistance, and other basic needs services help community college students stay enrolled and graduate.
