Education in Fort Smith, Arkansas: official figures
23.9% of adults aged 25 and over in Fort Smith held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 158th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Arkansas: 25.7%).
How many people in Fort Smith have a graduate degree?
9.9% of adults aged 25 and over in Fort Smith held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 258th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 1.7% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Fort Smith?
In Fort Smith, 30.7% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 29.2% had some college or an associate's degree (US: 26.0% and 27.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many students are there in Fort Smith?
20,715 residents of Fort Smith aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 24.0% of that age group, 262nd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 14,632 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 4,546 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Fort Smith?
3,369 residents of Fort Smith were enrolled as college undergraduates and 1,173 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 5.3% of residents aged 3 and over, 177th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Fort Smith attend preschool?
1,541 children in Fort Smith were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Fort Smith compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Fort Smith ranks 666 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 663 | Taunton | 23.9% |
| 664 | Citrus Heights | 23.9% |
| 665 | Antioch | 23.9% |
| 666 | Fort Smith | 23.9% |
| 667 | Dearborn Heights | 23.8% |
| 668 | Midwest City | 23.8% |
| 669 | Carson City | 23.7% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Fort Smith ranks 566 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 563 | Joliet | 10.0% |
| 564 | Hayward | 9.9% |
| 565 | Albany | 9.9% |
| 566 | Fort Smith | 9.9% |
| 567 | Cathedral City | 9.9% |
| 568 | Terre Haute | 9.8% |
| 569 | Escondido | 9.8% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Fort Smith ranks 140 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 137 | Grand Island | 16.5% |
| 138 | Lake Elsinore | 16.5% |
| 139 | New Britain | 16.5% |
| 140 | Fort Smith | 16.3% |
| 141 | Caldwell | 16.2% |
| 142 | Bryan | 16.2% |
| 143 | New York | 16.2% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Fort Smith ranks 647 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 644 | Mooresville | 5.3% |
| 645 | Florissant | 5.3% |
| 646 | Lauderhill | 5.3% |
| 647 | Fort Smith | 5.3% |
| 648 | Port St. Lucie | 5.3% |
| 649 | Taylorsville | 5.2% |
| 650 | Palo Alto | 5.2% |
More on Fort Smith: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B15003: Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 d0c8609e958022459215c8a31d7452ef7528ee8dd70fbb6f9a99de0f491f42d7), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 609deae49c91…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B14001: School Enrollment by Level of School for the Population 3 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e175af4a33616da45fb590da3d67f37eee65a3cb51e6f5864c64ff31fb716b81), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b85f52a6d640…)
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