Best Online Education Programs in Fort Smith, AR (2026)
Fort Smith, Arkansas has a population of about 89,496. The city’s median household income is $52,692 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Fort Smith, with tuition ranging from $8,508 to $21,536 per year. In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $87,440 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Fort Smith
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Smith city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 51.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 69.7 mi | $8,508 - $21,536 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas education page.
Education Wages Near Fort Smith
Fort Smith is part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area (BLS area code 22900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $62,760 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $73,062 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,140 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $58,370 |
| Middle School Teacher | $56,780 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $66,100 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $65,020 | AR statewide | $75,693 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $87,440 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $101,793 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $74,040 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $86,193 |
| Tutor | $30,670 | AR statewide | $35,704 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $67,960 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $79,115 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Fort Smith at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,692 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Sebastian County | 618 workers, 37 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Smith-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Van Buren, AR – 6.9 mi away (23,367 pop)
- Fayetteville, AR – 51.2 mi away (336,152 pop)
- Siloam Springs, AR – 58.4 mi away (21,136 pop)
- Springdale, AR – 59.3 mi away (78,557 pop)
- Muskogee, OK – 61.8 mi away (41,117 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Fort Smith, AR?
Our directory lists 2 education programs within 100 miles of Fort Smith. The closest is University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR (51.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arkansas Tech University (69.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Fort Smith?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Fort Smith are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($87,440), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($74,040), Educational and Career Counselor ($67,960). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Van Buren instead of Fort Smith?
Van Buren, AR is 6.9 miles from Fort Smith and has its own set of local education programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Fort Smith an affordable place to study education?
Fort Smith’s median household income of $52,692 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Smith while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.