Is Arch worth it for a newer Linux user, or should I stick with Fedora?

For college work, I'd pick the system that lets you get your assignments done without turning maintenance into another course. Fedora is a perfectly reasonable choice if it works well with your hardware. You don't need to use Arch just because there's a lot of content about it.

Arch can be useful if you want to learn how the system fits together and don't mind spending time configuring and troubleshooting it. That's a valid reason to try it, but not an obligation.

Separate the distro from the desktop setup. If Hyprland's window and workspace workflow appeals to you, look into running it on Fedora rather than switching everything at once. Setup will still take some work, but you can evaluate the part you actually want.

CachyOS is another option if you're curious about an Arch-based system but don't want to start from a command line installation. It may offer a more convenient setup, though an Arch-based distro still isn't a guarantee that every driver or update will be trouble-free.

Fedora variants are worth considering too. There's no prize for choosing the setup that takes the most work.

The AUR is handy, but don't treat every package there as automatically trustworthy. Review package build files and their sources when you can, especially before running anything that asks for elevated permissions. If a package is available from a source you already trust, that's worth considering first.

Try Arch in a virtual machine before replacing a working install. You can get a feel for the installation and package management without risking your coursework. Keep regular backups either way, and make sure you understand commands before running them.

A VM won't tell you everything about Nvidia drivers, Wi-Fi, or gaming performance on your actual hardware, though. Those need testing on the machine itself.