University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE

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

University of Central Arkansas SIUE
Location Conway, AR Edwardsville, IL
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,913 12,519
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #506
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu siue.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas SIUE
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $9,306
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $9,306
Room & Board $8,250 $10,272
Avg Net Price $15,456 $13,586
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $10,649
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 96%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas SIUE
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 9,325
Admitted 5,949 9,093
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 97.5%
Enrolled % 30.3% 20.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.54
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 940/1130 930/1160
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

University of Central Arkansas SIUE
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 (20%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas SIUE
Graduation Rate 40% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $21,430
Median Loan Payment $221 $221

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas SIUE
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 73%
% Black 18% 15%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of Central Arkansas SIUE
% In-State 90% 79%
% Out-of-State 8% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (12,519 students vs. 9,913 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 33.9% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($9,306.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.4% higher at University of Central Arkansas than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($13,900.00 vs. $9,306.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than University of Central Arkansas ($13,586 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 24.5% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($8,250 vs. $10,272)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 30.2% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($10,649 vs. $8,177)

University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 2 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1068)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at SIUE (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SIUE (3.54)
  • SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than University of Central Arkansas (91.2%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SIUE is higher than University of Central Arkansas (52% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn on average $6,200 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $15 lower median federal student loan debt than SIUE graduates. ($21,415 vs. $21,430)
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and University of Central Arkansas graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($221 vs. $221)
  • More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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