University of Central Arkansas vs. UAFS

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Arkansas is larger than UAFS based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 5,496 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); University of Arkansas Fort Smith is in Fort Smith, AR (Small City setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; University of Arkansas Fort Smith 18:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. UAFS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or UAFS? 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 Arkansas Fort Smith than University of Central Arkansas ($11,159 vs. $16,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 9.6% lower than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith ($9,110 vs. $10,082).
• University of Central Arkansas is 43.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAFS (about $3,189 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $7,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (about $5,841 more per year; $18,023.00 vs. $12,182.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas as at University of Arkansas Fort Smith (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 15.4% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas Fort Smith students ($8,901 vs. $7,715).

University of Central Arkansas vs. UAFS Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; UAFS - Required.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UAFS (3.39).
• University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than UAFS (80.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 40.2% at UAFS.

University of Central Arkansas vs. UAFS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Central Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Arkansas Fort Smith's (23%).
• Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than UAFS graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates have a $7,283 lower median loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($14,132 vs. $21,415).
• Among borrowers, UAFS graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($146 vs. $221).
• More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAFS students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)

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.