Arkansas vs. McKendree University

Should I go to University of Arkansas or McKendree University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas or McKendree University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Arkansas vs. McKendree University comparison
University of Arkansas McKendree University College 3 College 4
University of Arkansas McKendree University
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Overview

Arkansas McKendree University
Location Fayetteville, AR Lebanon, IL
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 30,936 1,960
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #458 #607
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uark.edu mckendree.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas McKendree University
Tuition (In State) $7,666 $32,020
Tuition (Out of State) $25,420 $32,020
Room & Board $12,368 $11,590
Avg Net Price $16,208 $22,431
Avg Grant Aid $8,474 $24,145
% Receiving Grant Aid 60% 100%

Admission

Arkansas McKendree University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 26,219 2,332
Admitted 20,695 1,594
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 68.4%
Enrolled % 34.3% 26.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.38
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 18/28
SAT Range 1030/1220 871/1277
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Arkansas McKendree University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)

Outcomes

Arkansas McKendree University
Graduation Rate 59% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $222 $240

Diversity

Arkansas McKendree University
% Men 44% 46%
% Women 56% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 68%
% Black 5% 14%
% Hispanic 8% 5%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

Arkansas McKendree University
% In-State 39% 48%
% Out-of-State 60% 27%

Campus

Arkansas McKendree University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Arkansas is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (30,936 students vs. 1,960 students)

Arkansas vs. McKendree University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or McKendree University?

  • McKendree University is 317.7% more expensive to attend than Arkansas for in-state tuition ($32,020.00 vs. $7,666.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26% higher at McKendree University than University of Arkansas ($32,020.00 vs. $25,420.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arkansas than McKendree University ($16,208 vs. $22,431)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McKendree University are 6.7% lower than costs at University of Arkansas ($11,590 vs. $12,368)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University than University of Arkansas (100% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 184.9% larger than aid received University of Arkansas ($24,145 vs. $8,474)

Arkansas vs. McKendree University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas or McKendree University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between McKendree University or Arkansas .

  • The average SAT score at University of Arkansas (1154) is 148 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming Arkansas students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

Arkansas vs. McKendree University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas or McKendree University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between McKendree University and Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at Arkansas is higher than McKendree University (59% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Arkansas earn on average $2,100 more per year than McKendree University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $48,300)
  • University of Arkansas students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than McKendree University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,250)
  • Arkansas graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than McKendree University graduates. ($222 vs. $240)
  • More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/