University of Central Arkansas is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Conway, Arkansas. It enrolls 7,762 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
63/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes40
Value54
Affordability65
Selectivity31
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 89.5%, University of Central Arkansas is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
89.5%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
910 – 1170
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 25
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Central Arkansas is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Central Arkansas isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $16,511 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$16,511
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
38%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
40%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$10,523
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$18,023
Room & Board (on-campus)
$9,110
Room & Board (off-campus)
$8,697
Books & Supplies
$1,216
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$6,991
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$9,730
Total Cost of Attendance
$25,029
Application fee: $25 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$14,656
$30,001 – $48,000
$13,988
$48,001 – $75,000
$16,203
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,318
Over $110,000
$20,157
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,77910%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$20,346Medianpercentile
$23,50075%percentile
$33,99290%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,353
↓ $5,993
No Pell $11,500
↓ $8,846
Dependent students $12,465
↓ $7,881
Independent students $16,375
↓ $3,971
Female students $13,422
↓ $6,924
Male students $12,250
↓ $8,096
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,315, less than completers ($20,346), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
40% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Central Arkansas graduate within six years, and 73% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
40%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
73%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Central Arkansas earn a median of $45,938 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$45,938
Earning > $25K
73%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$38,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$47,700
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$37,900
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$43,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$47,000
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $9,500, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↓
0.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 75% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Central Arkansas is home to 7,762 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 35% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
7,762
Part-Time
11%
First-Generation
35%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 63.5%4,930
Black 16.7%1,295
Hispanic 8.8%679
Other 5.8%446
International 3.1%239
Asian 2.1%162
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Central Arkansas. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityConway, Arkansas
Housing
Mostly residential3,435 beds on campus
Adult Learners
8%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Central Arkansas offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
101 distinct programs across
24 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Central Arkansas is 14:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
14:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$10,227
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$63M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$66,432
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
518 instructional faculty across 6 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
101
19%
$83,389
Associate Professors
139
27%
$70,554
Assistant Professors
99
19%
$68,018
Instructors
72
14%
$56,040
Lecturers
77
15%
$52,018
No Rank
30
6%
$46,953
Pros & Cons of University of Central Arkansas
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Central Arkansas tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
CONS
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Central Arkansas is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Central Arkansas
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Central Arkansas.
Is University of Central Arkansas hard to get into?
University of Central Arkansas has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 89.5%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Central Arkansas?
University of Central Arkansas has an acceptance rate of 89.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Central Arkansas?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Central Arkansas scored between 910 and 1170 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Central Arkansas?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Central Arkansas scored between 19 and 25 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Central Arkansas cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Central Arkansas is $16,511 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Central Arkansas worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $45,938 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $16,511 per year. That's roughly 2.8x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Central Arkansas known for?
University of Central Arkansas is best known for its programs in Psychology, Kinesiology, Rehabilitation. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Central Arkansas graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Central Arkansas are $45,938, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Central Arkansas accredited?
Yes. University of Central Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Central Arkansas?
University of Central Arkansas enrolls 7,762 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas?
University of Central Arkansas graduates 40% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Central Arkansas a public or private college?
University of Central Arkansas is a Public institution.
Where is University of Central Arkansas located?
University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, Arkansas.
What programs does University of Central Arkansas offer?
University of Central Arkansas offers 101 distinct programs. The most popular include Psychology, Kinesiology, Rehabilitation.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Central Arkansas?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Central Arkansas is 14:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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