University of Central Arkansas vs. Messenger College

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or Messenger College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or Messenger College 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 Central Arkansas vs. Messenger College comparison
University of Central Arkansas Messenger College College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas
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Overview

University of Central Arkansas Messenger College
Location Conway, AR Joplin, TX
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 9,913 19
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #837
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu messengercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas Messenger College
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $9,480
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $9,480
Room & Board $8,250 $7,832
Avg Net Price $15,456 $17,197
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $7,812
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 8
Admitted 5,949 4
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 50%
Enrolled % 30.3% 100%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 2.9
Typical High School Grades A- B-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

University of Central Arkansas Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (83%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas Messenger College
Graduation Rate 40% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $24,000
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 N/A
Median Loan Payment $221 N/A

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas Messenger College
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 54%
% Black 18% 18%
% Hispanic 5% 13%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 8%

Students

University of Central Arkansas Messenger College
% In-State 90% 50%
% Out-of-State 8% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 19 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

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

  • Messenger College is 36.4% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($9,480.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.6% higher at University of Central Arkansas than Messenger College ($13,900.00 vs. $9,480.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Arkansas than Messenger College ($15,456 vs. $17,197)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messenger College are 5.3% lower than costs at University of Central Arkansas ($7,832 vs. $8,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messenger College than University of Central Arkansas (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 4.7% larger than aid received Messenger College ($8,177 vs. $7,812)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Messenger College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Messenger College (2.9)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than Messenger College (50%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas is higher than Messenger College (40% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $16,800 more per year than Messenger College graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $24,000)
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 40%)

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