University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 10,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or SIUE? 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 University of Central Arkansas than SIUE ($16,546 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 37.1% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($9,110 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 22.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Central Arkansas (about $2,399 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $10,523.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.5% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $5,101 more per year; $18,023.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 30.3% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($11,602 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 30 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at University of Central Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• 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 (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 15.7% at SIUE.

University of Central Arkansas vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and SIUE? 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).

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $15 lower median loan debt than SIUE graduates ($21,415 vs. $21,430).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and University of Central Arkansas graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.