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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University Arkansas WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU ATU| University of Central Arkansas | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
| Location | Conway, AR | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 9,790 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #842 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | uca.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,140 | $10,512 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $14,280 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $8,662 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,362 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,280 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 98% |
Admission |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,589 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 5,961 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 90.5% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 29.1% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.7 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1120 | 916/1133 | ||
| 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 15, 2026 |
Academics |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 40% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $40,800 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 57% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,415 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $221 | $257 |
Diversity |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 5% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 14% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 66% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 18% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 2% | ||
| % International | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 90% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 28% | ||
Campus |
University of Central Arkansas | NKU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 9,790 students)
University of Central Arkansas vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 47.2% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $7,140.00)
- Out of state tuition is 47.7% higher at NKU than University of Central Arkansas ($21,096.00 vs. $14,280.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than University of Central Arkansas ($8,151 vs. $16,362)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 34.6% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($8,662 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of Central Arkansas (98% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 38.8% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($11,492 vs. $8,280)
University of Central Arkansas vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or University of Central Arkansas .
- The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is the same at NKU (1068)
- Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
- Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at NKU (3.42)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than University of Central Arkansas (90.5%)
University of Central Arkansas vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, University of Central Arkansas or NKU? 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 NKU and University of Central Arkansas.
- The graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas is higher than Northern Kentucky University (40% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $1,100 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $39,700)
- University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $3,535 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,415 vs. $24,950)
- University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($221 vs. $257)
- More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/