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#3 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas Admission Requirements

Conway, Arkansas

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Your chances of getting into University of Central Arkansas

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

91.2%
Admission Difficulty for University of Central Arkansas
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at University of Central Arkansas is 91.2%.  Its admission rate is the 16th lowest in Arkansas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into University of Central Arkansas and can you get accepted?

University of Central Arkansas is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,949 out of the 6,522 who applied were admitted.

University of Central Arkansas typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into University of Central Arkansas?

91% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Central Arkansas you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1040 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

University of Central Arkansas GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Central Arkansas?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into University of Central Arkansas are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.7 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as University of Central Arkansas accepts 91% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at University of Central Arkansas is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 25% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #6 in Arkansas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since University of Central Arkansas is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Central Arkansas students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 25.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 23.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 11.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

University of Central Arkansas SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Central Arkansas. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 2% of students submitted SAT scores and 95% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

940-1130

Applicants Submitting SAT 

2%
SAT Scores for University of Central Arkansas
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 460
Math 25th Percentile 480
Composite 25th Percentile 940
SAT Scores for University of Central Arkansas
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 570
Math 75th Percentile 560
Composite 75th Percentile 1130
Average SAT Score 1040

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Central Arkansas?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas is 1040 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 940-1130. Students who get into University of Central Arkansas score in the top 71 percent of all SAT test takers..  University of Central Arkansas ranks #13 in the state of Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1040 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. University of Central Arkansas regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 940 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 940, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 840, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Central Arkansas is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1040 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1035, you have around a 91% chance of being admitted. A 1130 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 95% chance of getting in.

University of Central Arkansas admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1130 and Above Good >95%
1035 to 1130 Avg + 91%-95%
940 to 1035 Avg - 84%-91%
845 to 940 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 845 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

University of Central Arkansas ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

95%
ACT Scores for University of Central Arkansas
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for University of Central Arkansas
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into University of Central Arkansas?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to University of Central Arkansas is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 25.  The school ranks #8 in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 95 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Central Arkansas.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Central Arkansas is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into University of Central Arkansas for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 91% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 25 ACT score.

University of Central Arkansas admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >95%
22 to 25 Avg + 91%-95%
19 to 22 Avg - 84%-91%
16 to 19 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 16 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

52% of University of Central Arkansas freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 23% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Central Arkansas students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 23%
Top 25% of class 52%
Top 50% of class 84%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Central Arkansas admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,323 2,199 6,522
Accepted 3,980 1,969 5,949
Acceptance Rate 92% 90% 91%
Enrolled 1,167 636 1,803
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 29% 32% 30%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Central Arkansas is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Central Arkansas and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Central Arkansas Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Central Arkansas
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Central Arkansas is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1040 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Central Arkansas often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=106704 IPEDS survey data for University of Central Arkansas.

Last updated February 24, 2024