University of Central Arkansas vs. Henderson State University

Deciding between University of Central Arkansas and Henderson State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Central Arkansas
Henderson State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
  • Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR
  • Setting
  • University of Central Arkansas Distant Town
  • Henderson State University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Central Arkansas 10,112
  • Henderson State University 2,055
  • Type
  • University of Central Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • Henderson State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Central Arkansas #826
  • Henderson State University #1024
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Central Arkansas -
  • Henderson State University -
  • Status
  • University of Central Arkansas Non-profit
  • Henderson State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Central Arkansas uca.edu
  • Henderson State University hsu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Henderson State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $10,523
  • Henderson State University $8,244
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $18,023
  • Henderson State University $10,620
  • Room & Board
  • University of Central Arkansas $9,110
  • Henderson State University $10,000
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Central Arkansas $16,546
  • Henderson State University $20,444
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas $8,901
  • Henderson State University $7,867
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas 95%
  • Henderson State University 98%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Central Arkansas Calculate
  • Henderson State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Central Arkansas 7,039
  • Henderson State University -
  • Admitted
  • University of Central Arkansas 6,299
  • Henderson State University -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 89.5%
  • Henderson State University
  • Enrolled
  • University of Central Arkansas 34.6%
  • Henderson State University
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 1040
  • Henderson State University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 22
  • Henderson State University 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Central Arkansas 3.7
  • Henderson State University 3.23
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Central Arkansas A-
  • Henderson State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Central Arkansas Easy
  • Henderson State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Henderson State University
  • ACT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 19/25
  • Henderson State University 16/21
  • SAT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 910/1170
  • Henderson State University 903/1073
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Central Arkansas Test optional
  • Henderson State University Not reported
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Central Arkansas 15:1
  • Henderson State University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Central Arkansas
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Education (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Henderson State University
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 40%
  • Henderson State University 31%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Central Arkansas $40,800
  • Henderson State University $38,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Central Arkansas 57%
  • Henderson State University 48%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Central Arkansas $21,415
  • Henderson State University $19,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Central Arkansas $221
  • Henderson State University $201

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Central Arkansas 36%
  • Henderson State University 41%
  • % Women
  • University of Central Arkansas 64%
  • Henderson State University 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Central Arkansas Medium
  • Henderson State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • Henderson State University No
  • % White
  • University of Central Arkansas 66%
  • Henderson State University 66%
  • % Asian
  • University of Central Arkansas 2%
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Central Arkansas 18%
  • Henderson State University 24%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Central Arkansas 5%
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Central Arkansas 0%
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • % International
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • Henderson State University 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 91%
  • Henderson State University 74%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 7%
  • Henderson State University 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than Henderson State University based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 2,055 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Henderson State University is in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Henderson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Henderson State University 14:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Henderson State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or Henderson State University? 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 Central Arkansas than Henderson State University ($16,546 vs. $20,444).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 8.9% lower than at Henderson State University ($9,110 vs. $10,000).
  • University of Central Arkansas is 27.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Henderson State University (about $2,279 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $8,244.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 69.7% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Henderson State University (about $7,403 more per year; $18,023.00 vs. $10,620.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Henderson State University than at University of Central Arkansas (98% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 13.1% larger than aid received by Henderson State University students ($8,901 vs. $7,867).

University of Central Arkansas vs. Henderson State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or Henderson State University? 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 Henderson State University and University of Central Arkansas.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Arkansas (1040) is 50 points higher than at Henderson State University (990).
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Henderson State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Henderson State University 903/1073.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Henderson State University 16/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; Henderson State University - Not reported.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Henderson State University (3.23).

University of Central Arkansas vs. Henderson State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and Henderson State University? 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 Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Henderson State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Henderson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have a $1,915 lower median loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,415).
  • Among borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($201 vs. $221).
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Henderson State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 48%)

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.