Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
BSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | BSN | BSN |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Fort Smith, AR |
| Length | 48 months | 48 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | 96.9%BEST | 94.5% |
| Acceptance rate | 66.6% | 81.5%BEST |
| Avg accepted GPA | — | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | HESI | — |
| Total tuition | $9,820 in / $15,400 out | $6,906 in / $13,770 outBEST |
| In-state tuition | $9,820 | $6,906BEST |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,400 | $13,770BEST |
| Clinical placement | — | — |
| Accreditation | SCORECARD_BASELINE | CCNE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 96.9%, compared to 94.5% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.
Which is cheaper, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is the more affordable option at roughly $6,906, compared to $9,820. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.
Are Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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.