Featured | NewsSeptember 23, 2025

UAFS Earns National Accolades in Social Mobility, Public Education

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith once again earned national recognition in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, demonstrating substantial progress across mission-centric categories.

Most notably, UAFS jumped 24 places in the Top Performers on Social Mobility ranking, rising to No. 34 among Regional Colleges in the South. This category measures how well institutions enroll and graduate students who receive Pell Grants—federal aid awarded primarily to those whose adjusted gross family income is below $50,000. U.S. News notes that economically disadvantaged students are statistically less likely to complete college, even when their academic performance in high school is strong. At UAFS, 60% of students receive Pell Grants, and the university’s sharp rise in this ranking is indicative of years of work helping those students persist and graduate.

“Our mission has always been to transform lives through education, and this leap in our social mobility ranking affirms that we are achieving exactly that,” said Dr. Terisa Riley, chancellor of UAFS. “With more than half of our student population receiving Pell Grants, it is critical to serve these students and their families well.”

The university also climbed in the overall Regional Colleges – South category, moving up to No. 21, its highest placement in recent years. UAFS also held on to its place in the top 10 public schools in the region, landing at No. 8 this year.

In a new category, UAFS placed at No. 6 in the Best Colleges for Veterans rankings. This category highlights institutions that offer strong support and affordability for veterans and active-duty service members. To qualify, schools must be certified for the GI Bill, be a public institution or participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, enroll at least 20 military-affiliated undergraduates, and rank in the top half of their category.

Regional and Program Rankings

UAFS’s continued rise in the U.S. News rankings reflects a consistent upward trend in both regional and national standings. Over the past three years, the university has advanced from No. 48 to No. 21 in the overall Regional Colleges South category and from No. 12 to No. 8 among Top Public Schools in the South.

“These rankings confirm what we already know, that UAFS is delivering on its promise to provide a high-quality, affordable education to our students,” Riley said.

Additional rankings for 2026 include:

• Social Mobility – No. 34
• Overall Regional Colleges South – No. 21
• Top Public Schools – Regional Colleges South – No. 8
• Best Colleges for Veterans – Regional Colleges South – No. 6
• Undergraduate Business Programs (National) – No. 414
• Undergraduate Computer Science Programs (National) – No. 410
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs (National) – No. 34

“U.S. News’ Best Colleges remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “With over half of the ranking factors dedicated to student outcomes, the rankings and editorial content provide vital data, college advice and informed reporting to every student pursuing higher education.”

Data and Methodology

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on comprehensive data analysis across a wide range of criteria, including graduation rates, social mobility, faculty resources, and student retention, as explained in the Best Colleges methodology article. The rankings are designed to provide prospective students with a clearer understanding of each institution’s offerings and strengths.

The full rankings can be viewed on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges page.