University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

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

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

Arkansas ATU A&M Commerce Henderson State University UALR Arkansas State University UNT UAPB Lamar University OBU MSU Missouri State University-Springfield
University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus comparison
University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Location Conway, AR Magnolia, AR
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 9,913 5,094
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #868
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu saumag.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $7,020
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $12,450
Room & Board $8,250 $7,809
Avg Net Price $15,456 $14,056
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $9,316
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 99%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 2,916
Admitted 5,949 1,855
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 63.6%
Enrolled % 30.3% 38.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.46
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 17/24
SAT Range 940/1130 905/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Graduation Rate 40% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $17,020
Median Loan Payment $221 $175

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% Men 36% 45%
% Women 64% 55%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 63%
% Black 18% 28%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of Central Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% In-State 90% 70%
% Out-of-State 8% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 5,094 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 1% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.6% higher at University of Central Arkansas than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,900.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of Central Arkansas ($14,056 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 5.6% lower than costs at University of Central Arkansas ($7,809 vs. $8,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of Central Arkansas (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 13.9% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($9,316 vs. $8,177)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 80 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (40% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $2,900 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,395 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,415)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than University of Central Arkansas graduates. ($175 vs. $221)
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 44%)

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