UALR vs. Central

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than UALR based on total student enrollment (12,857 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); University of Central Missouri is in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; University of Central Missouri 18:1.

UALR vs. Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or Central? 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 Central ($12,033 vs. $14,943).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 0.2% lower than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock ($10,740 vs. $10,760).
• University of Central Missouri is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $302 more per year; $10,050.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.1% higher at UALR than at University of Central Missouri (about $3,558 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $18,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students is 41% larger than aid received by University of Central Missouri students ($11,013 vs. $7,811).

UALR vs. Central Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Central students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; University of Central Missouri 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; Central - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UALR (3.42).
• Central has a higher acceptance rate (63.8%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 28.6% at Central.

UALR vs. Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and Central? 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).

• University of Central Missouri's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $1,941 lower median loan debt than Central graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,441).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central graduates ($211 vs. $232).
• More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.