UAPB vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Central University is larger than UAPB based on total student enrollment (3,377 students vs. 2,005 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 12:1; East Central University 18:1.

UAPB vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB or ECU? 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 East Central University than UAPB ($8,565 vs. $12,373).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 7.4% lower than at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff ($8,516 vs. $9,194).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $1,380 more per year; $9,412.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at UAPB than at East Central University (about $150 more per year; $17,992.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than at East Central University (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students is 17.6% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($10,883 vs. $9,255).

UAPB vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAPB or ECU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ECU and UAPB.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at East Central University (1010) is 30 points higher than at UAPB (980).
• Incoming ECU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 16 at UAPB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; ECU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman ECU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at UAPB (2.9).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than UAPB (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UAPB vs. 42.4% at ECU.

UAPB vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB and ECU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• East Central University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than UAPB graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $9,870 lower median loan debt than UAPB graduates ($16,878 vs. $26,748).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAPB graduates ($174 vs. $276).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 30%)

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.