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Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $41,102 helps, but median debt of $18,250 plus yearly net price of $10,574 creates a tighter path. For context, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's net price is about 21% below the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$10,387
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $2,768 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $11,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$10,574
Median earnings 10 years out
$41,102
Median debt at graduation
$18,250
Graduation rate
37%
At University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, a typical graduate carries about $18,250 in student debt and earns roughly $41,102 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $208 per month, or 6% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
How earnings compare to a high school diploma
Graduates earn $698 less than the typical high school graduate ($41,800) ten years after entering this school. A federal rule finalized in July 2026 ties undergraduate student-loan eligibility to a comparison like this one, with the first calculations expected in 2027.
68% of former students here out-earned that benchmark ten years after entry, per College Scorecard.
Context, not a federal determination: the official test will use earnings measured four years after completion and thresholds the Department of Education has not yet published, which may vary by state. Our figure is College Scorecard median earnings ten years after entry. How this works
What this means for your family
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a two year school in Fort Smith, AR. For many families, the real question is not just sticker price but what this path unlocks next, whether that is direct employment, transfer, or a lower cost route into a four year degree.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
2-year
North Arkansas
Harrison, AR
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $10,180
2-year
Arkansas State University-Beebe
Beebe, AR
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $11,698
2-year
University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology
El Dorado, AR
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $9,634
2-year
National Park
Hot Springs, AR
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $12,720
2-year
Career Academy of Hair Design
Springdale, AR
Worth-It Score: 64/100
Median net price: $12,728
Common questions about University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
The median net price at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is $10,574 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Arkansas? See the most affordable public universities in Arkansas →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →
Now work out how to pay for it, cheapest money first.
A Worth-It Score tells you whether the price is justified. The 2026-27 funding guide covers the borrowing order, what changed on July 1, 2026, and the current limits.
Open the 2026-27 funding guide →