UALR vs. Memphis

Comparable Facts

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

University of Memphis is larger than UALR based on total student enrollment (20,276 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 Memphis is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Memphis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; University of Memphis 16:1.

UALR vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or Memphis? 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 Memphis ($12,033 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 5.1% lower than at University of Memphis ($10,760 vs. $11,342).
• University of Memphis is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $980 more per year; $10,728.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at UALR than at University of Memphis (about $6,774 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $15,384.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Little Rock as at University of Memphis (92% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Memphis students is 7.1% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($11,793 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. Memphis Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 40 points higher than at Memphis (1050).
• Incoming Memphis students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; University of Memphis 915/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; University of Memphis 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; Memphis - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027; Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UALR (3.42).
• Memphis has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

UALR vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and Memphis? 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 Memphis's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Memphis earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Memphis graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Memphis graduates ($211 vs. $261).
• More UALR graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 37%)

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.