Arkansas vs. University of Central Arkansas

Should I go to University of Arkansas or University of Central Arkansas? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas or University of Central Arkansas 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of Arkansas vs. University of Central Arkansas comparison
University of Arkansas University of Central Arkansas College 3 College 4
University of Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
Location Fayetteville, AR Conway, AR
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 30,936 9,913
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #458 #837
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uark.edu uca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
Tuition (In State) $7,666 $6,950
Tuition (Out of State) $25,420 $13,900
Room & Board $12,368 $8,250
Avg Net Price $16,208 $15,456
Avg Grant Aid $8,474 $8,177
% Receiving Grant Aid 60% 97%

Admission

Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 26,219 6,522
Admitted 20,695 5,949
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 91.2%
Enrolled % 34.3% 30.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/25
SAT Range 1030/1220 940/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)

Outcomes

Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
Graduation Rate 59% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $40,800
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $21,415
Median Loan Payment $222 $221

Diversity

Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
% Men 44% 36%
% Women 56% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 66%
% Black 5% 18%
% Hispanic 8% 5%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Arkansas University of Central Arkansas
% In-State 39% 90%
% Out-of-State 60% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Arkansas is larger than than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (30,936 students vs. 9,913 students)

Arkansas vs. University of Central Arkansas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or University of Central Arkansas?

  • University of Arkansas is 10.3% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($7,666.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 82.9% higher at Arkansas than University of Central Arkansas ($25,420.00 vs. $13,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Arkansas than Arkansas ($15,456 vs. $16,208)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 49.9% lower than costs at University of Arkansas ($8,250 vs. $12,368)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than University of Arkansas (97% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas students is 3.6% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($8,474 vs. $8,177)

Arkansas vs. University of Central Arkansas Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Arkansas (1154) is 86 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1068)
  • Incoming Arkansas students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at University of Central Arkansas (23)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at University of Central Arkansas (3.7)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than Arkansas (78.9%)

Arkansas vs. University of Central Arkansas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas or University of Central Arkansas? 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 University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at Arkansas is higher than University of Central Arkansas (59% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Arkansas earn on average $9,600 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $85 lower median federal student loan debt than Arkansas graduates. ($21,415 vs. $21,500)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Arkansas graduates. ($221 vs. $222)
  • More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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