Winston-Salem State University vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Winston-Salem State University and University of Arkansas-Fort Smith are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Winston-Salem State University is more selective with a 68.5% acceptance rate compared to University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's 81.5%. Average SAT scores are 946 and 1050 respectively.

Cost: University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers a lower average net price at $10,097, which is $3,296 less than Winston-Salem State University ($13,393). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Winston-Salem State University earn a median salary of $45,344 ten years after enrollment, which is $4,242 more than University of Arkansas-Fort Smith graduates ($41,102).

Graduation: Winston-Salem State University leads with a 49.1% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 74.8% vs 71.6%.

Campus Size: Winston-Salem State University is the larger campus with 4,244 total students, while University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has 4,133.

Bottom Line: University of Arkansas-Fort Smith wins on affordability while Winston-Salem State University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.