Written By: Rachel Putman
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith once again earned national recognition in
the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, with strong placements in
categories aligning with the university’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality
education and supporting student success.
UAFS ranked No. 5 among Top Public Schools and No. 38, among Top Performers on Social
Mobility. The university also ranked No. 24, among Regional Colleges South.
The social mobility ranking reflects how well colleges and universities enroll and
graduate students who receive Pell Grants, federal aid generally awarded to undergraduate
students with significant financial need. The category aligns closely with UAFS’ mission
to expand access to higher education and help students persist through graduation.
Program Rankings
In addition to its overall recognition, UAFS earned national recognition at the program
level in undergraduate business, computer science, and nursing.
The rankings reflect UAFS’ continued presence in national evaluations of both institutional
performance and academic programs.
Data and Methodology
U.S. News & World Report released its 2027 Best Colleges rankings Sept. 22. The publication
evaluates colleges and universities using measures that include student outcomes,
academic resources, retention, graduation rates and social mobility.
The Top Performers on Social Mobility ranking specifically considers outcomes for
students who receive Pell Grants, including graduation rates and graduation rate performance.
The full rankings and methodology are available through U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges coverage.
