University of South Alabama vs. University of Central Arkansas

Deciding between University of South Alabama and University of Central Arkansas? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of South Alabama
University of Central Arkansas

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
  • University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
  • Setting
  • University of South Alabama Midsize City
  • University of Central Arkansas Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of South Alabama 14,003
  • University of Central Arkansas 10,112
  • Type
  • University of South Alabama Public 4 Year
  • University of Central Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of South Alabama #770
  • University of Central Arkansas #826
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of South Alabama -
  • University of Central Arkansas -
  • Status
  • University of South Alabama Non-profit
  • University of Central Arkansas Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of South Alabama
  • University of Central Arkansas

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of South Alabama $10,116
  • University of Central Arkansas $10,523
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of South Alabama $19,092
  • University of Central Arkansas $18,023
  • Room & Board
  • University of South Alabama $11,366
  • University of Central Arkansas $9,110
  • Average Net Price
  • University of South Alabama $16,074
  • University of Central Arkansas $16,546
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama $9,329
  • University of Central Arkansas $8,901
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama 96%
  • University of Central Arkansas 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of South Alabama Calculate
  • University of Central Arkansas Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of South Alabama 12,982
  • University of Central Arkansas 7,039
  • Admitted
  • University of South Alabama 9,212
  • University of Central Arkansas 6,299
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of South Alabama 71%
  • University of Central Arkansas 89.5%
  • Enrolled
  • University of South Alabama 21%
  • University of Central Arkansas 34.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of South Alabama 1080
  • University of Central Arkansas 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of South Alabama 23
  • University of Central Arkansas 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of South Alabama 3.69
  • University of Central Arkansas 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of South Alabama A-
  • University of Central Arkansas A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of South Alabama Easy
  • University of Central Arkansas Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of South Alabama Low
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • ACT Range
  • University of South Alabama 20/26
  • University of Central Arkansas 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of South Alabama 970/1190
  • University of Central Arkansas 910/1170
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of South Alabama Test optional
  • University of Central Arkansas Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027
  • University of Central Arkansas

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of South Alabama 19:1
  • University of Central Arkansas 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of South Alabama
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Engineering (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • University of Central Arkansas
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Education (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of South Alabama 39%
  • University of Central Arkansas 40%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of South Alabama $45,200
  • University of Central Arkansas $40,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of South Alabama 45%
  • University of Central Arkansas 57%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of South Alabama $24,500
  • University of Central Arkansas $21,415
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of South Alabama $253
  • University of Central Arkansas $221

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of South Alabama 32%
  • University of Central Arkansas 36%
  • % Women
  • University of South Alabama 68%
  • University of Central Arkansas 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of South Alabama High
  • University of Central Arkansas Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of South Alabama No
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • % White
  • University of South Alabama 59%
  • University of Central Arkansas 66%
  • % Asian
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • University of Central Arkansas 2%
  • % Black
  • University of South Alabama 24%
  • University of Central Arkansas 18%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • University of Central Arkansas 5%
  • % Native American
  • University of South Alabama 1%
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of South Alabama 0%
  • University of Central Arkansas 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • % International
  • University of South Alabama 5%
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of South Alabama 2%
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of South Alabama 72%
  • University of Central Arkansas 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of South Alabama 26%
  • University of Central Arkansas 7%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Alabama is larger than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (14,003 students vs. 10,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of South Alabama is located in Mobile, AL (Midsize City setting); University of Central Arkansas is in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting).
  • University of South Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Alabama 19:1; University of Central Arkansas 15:1.

University of South Alabama vs. University of Central Arkansas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or University of Central Arkansas? 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 South Alabama than University of Central Arkansas ($16,074 vs. $16,546).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 19.8% lower than at University of South Alabama ($9,110 vs. $11,366).
  • University of Central Arkansas is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Alabama (about $407 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $10,116.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at University of South Alabama than at University of Central Arkansas (about $1,069 more per year; $19,092.00 vs. $18,023.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Alabama than at University of Central Arkansas (96% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Alabama students is 4.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($9,329 vs. $8,901).

University of South Alabama vs. University of Central Arkansas Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Alabama (1080) is 40 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
  • Incoming University of South Alabama 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 South Alabama 970/1190; University of Central Arkansas 910/1170.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 20/26; University of Central Arkansas 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Alabama - Test optional; University of Central Arkansas - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of South Alabama (3.69).
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of South Alabama (71%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at University of South Alabama vs. 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas.

University of South Alabama vs. University of Central Arkansas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Alabama and University of Central Arkansas? 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 South Alabama's (39%).
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $3,085 lower median loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates ($21,415 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Alabama graduates ($221 vs. $253).
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 45%)

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.