UALR vs. McKendree University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with McKendree University in Lebanon, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock is larger than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (8,216 students vs. 2,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); McKendree University is in Lebanon, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McKendree University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; McKendree University 16:1.

UALR vs. McKendree University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or McKendree University? 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 McKendree University ($12,033 vs. $22,444).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 15.6% lower than at McKendree University ($10,760 vs. $12,742).
• McKendree University is 256.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $24,992 more per year; $34,740.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.8% higher at McKendree University than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (about $12,582 more per year; $34,740.00 vs. $22,158.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McKendree University than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 137% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($26,102 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. McKendree University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR or McKendree University? 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 McKendree University and UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 20 points higher than at McKendree University (1070).
• Incoming McKendree University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; McKendree University 871/1277.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; McKendree University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; McKendree University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at McKendree University (3.38).
• McKendree University has a higher acceptance rate (71.7%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 18.8% at McKendree University.

UALR vs. McKendree University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and McKendree University? 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).

• McKendree University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from McKendree University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than McKendree University graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McKendree University graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More McKendree University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.