University of Central Arkansas vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than Southwest Baptist University based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 2,199 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Southwest Baptist University is in Bolivar, MO (Distant Town setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Southwest Baptist University 10:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University ($16,546 vs. $21,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 6.8% lower than at Southwest Baptist University ($9,110 vs. $9,776).
• Southwest Baptist University is 190.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Central Arkansas (about $20,043 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $10,523.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.6% higher at Southwest Baptist University than at University of Central Arkansas (about $12,543 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $18,023.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Baptist University than at University of Central Arkansas (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Baptist University students is 113.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($19,043 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Arkansas (1040) is 30 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southwest Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Southwest Baptist University (3.55).
• University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Southwest Baptist University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 34.3% at Southwest Baptist University.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southwest Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Southwest Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have a $328 lower median loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($21,087 vs. $21,415).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($218 vs. $221).
• More Southwest Baptist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.