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University of Arkansas at Little Rock vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

BSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Higher NCLEX pass rate
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
94.5% vs 92.2%
Lower tuition
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
$6,906 vs $8,455
Easier to get into
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
81.5% vs 57.7% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeBSNBSN
Formatin personin person
LocationLittle Rock, ARFort Smith, AR
Length48 months48 months
NCLEX pass rate92.2%94.5%BEST
Acceptance rate57.7%81.5%BEST
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$8,455 in / $19,210 out$6,906 in / $13,770 outBEST
In-state tuition$8,455$6,906BEST
Out-of-state tuition$19,210$13,770BEST
Clinical placement
AccreditationSCORECARD_BASELINECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, University of Arkansas at Little Rock or University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 94.5%, compared to 92.2% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.

Which is cheaper, University of Arkansas at Little Rock or University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is the more affordable option at roughly $6,906, compared to $8,455. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Arkansas-Fort Smith the same type of program?

Both are BSN programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.