University of Central Arkansas vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than University of Central Arkansas ($14,546 vs. $16,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 8.9% lower than at University of Central Arkansas ($8,300 vs. $9,110).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Central Arkansas (about $401 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $10,523.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $7,099 more per year; $18,023.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at University of Central Arkansas (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 16.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($10,358 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and University of Central Arkansas.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Arkansas (1040) is 30 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

University of Central Arkansas vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $900 lower median loan debt than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($21,415 vs. $22,315).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($221 vs. $230).
• More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 43%)

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.