UALR vs. CMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than UALR based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Central Michigan University is in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Central Michigan University 16:1.

UALR vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or CMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas at Little Rock than CMU ($12,033 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 14.4% lower than at Central Michigan University ($10,760 vs. $12,564).
• Central Michigan University is 51.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $5,012 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.1% higher at UALR than at Central Michigan University (about $7,398 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 18.4% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($13,042 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. CMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR or CMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CMU and UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 10 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Central Michigan University 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Central Michigan University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; CMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at UALR (3.42).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 11.3% at CMU.

UALR vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and CMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.