University of Central Arkansas vs. UNK

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or UNK 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. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
University of Central Arkansas University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

University of Central Arkansas UNK
Location Conway, AR Kearney, NE
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 9,913 6,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas UNK
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $12,036
Room & Board $8,250 $11,390
Avg Net Price $15,456 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 6,794
Admitted 5,949 5,842
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 86%
Enrolled % 30.3% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.24
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 940/1130 1000/1200
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

University of Central Arkansas UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas UNK
Graduation Rate 40% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $221 $219

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas UNK
% Men 36% 34%
% Women 64% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 79%
% Black 18% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of Central Arkansas UNK
% In-State 90% 85%
% Out-of-State 8% 11%

Campus

University of Central Arkansas UNK
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

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 6,041 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. UNK Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Central Arkansas is 11.7% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($6,950.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.5% higher at University of Central Arkansas than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($13,900.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Arkansas than UNK ($15,456 vs. $16,564)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 38.1% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,250 vs. $11,390)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than University of Central Arkansas (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 12.3% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,177 vs. $7,282)

University of Central Arkansas vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 19 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at UNK (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than UNK (86%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than University of Central Arkansas (61% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $2,600 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $165 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates. ($21,250 vs. $21,415)
  • UNK graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than University of Central Arkansas graduates. ($219 vs. $221)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)

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