University of West Alabama vs. University of Central Arkansas

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

University of West Alabama University of Central Arkansas
Location Livingston, AL Conway, AR
Setting Remote Rural Distant Town
Enrollment 5,860 9,913
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #837
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu uca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama University of Central Arkansas
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $6,950
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $13,900
Room & Board $7,820 $8,250
Avg Net Price $13,786 $15,456
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $8,177
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 97%

Admission

University of West Alabama University of Central Arkansas
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 6,522
Admitted 2,156 5,949
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 91.2%
Enrolled % 14.4% 30.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.7
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21 19/25
SAT Range 880/980 940/1130
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama University of Central Arkansas
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama University of Central Arkansas
Graduation Rate 28% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $40,800
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $21,415
Median Loan Payment $273 $221

Diversity

University of West Alabama University of Central Arkansas
% Men 25% 36%
% Women 75% 64%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 45% 66%
% Black 40% 18%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

University of West Alabama University of Central Arkansas
% In-State 81% 90%
% Out-of-State 13% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 5,860 students)

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

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

  • University of West Alabama is 30.9% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.9% higher at University of West Alabama than University of Central Arkansas ($18,200.00 vs. $13,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of West Alabama than University of Central Arkansas ($13,786 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 5.5% lower than costs at University of Central Arkansas ($7,820 vs. $8,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than University of West Alabama (97% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 13.6% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($9,291 vs. $8,177)

University of West Alabama vs. University of Central Arkansas Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 138 points higher than at University of West Alabama (930)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of West Alabama (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than University of West Alabama (68.9%)

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

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas is higher than University of West Alabama (40% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $2,300 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $38,500)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $5,074 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($21,415 vs. $26,489)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($221 vs. $273)
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 36%)

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