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University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR · City · 7,762 students
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$16,511
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
53%
Graduation rate
58% typical
$45,938
Earnings 10 years on
$55,545 typical
89%
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Founded as a state normal school, the University of Central Arkansas is renowned for exceptional programs in the health sciences—notably nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy—as well as strong degrees in education and business. UCA distinguishes itself through the acclaimed Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, one of the nation's earliest and most prestigious honors programs, along with deep investments in the arts anchored by the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts. Located in the vibrant college town of Conway just outside Little Rock, student life centers around a close-knit community complete with NCAA Division I athletics, active residential learning communities, and more than 200 student organizations.


Wikipedia:The University of Central Arkansas is a public university in Conway, Arkansas, United States. Founded in 1907, the university is one of the oldest in the state. As the state's only normal school at the time, UCA has historically been the primary source of teachers in Arkansas. It was one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools.

Location
Conway, AR, 72035-0001 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MEM · Memphis
140 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$10,523$18,023
Housing & food (on campus)$9,110$9,110
Books & supplies$1,216$1,216
Cost of attendance$25,029$32,529 est.
Average net price$16,511Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$18,023
In-state: $10,523
Housing & food (on campus)$9,110
Books & supplies$1,216
Cost of attendance$32,529 est.
In-state: $25,029
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $16,511
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students
$0–30k
$14,656
$30–48k
$13,988
$48–75k
$16,203
$75–110k
$20,318
$110k+
$20,157
Grants from the school
72% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $5,672
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
53%
Within 4 yrs
42%
Back for yr 2
73%
Transferred
25%
Pell students: 41.7% · others: 62.5% 
8 yrs after starting
50% graduated · 31% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 19% left or unknown
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$36,670
10 yrs after entry$45,938
Debt
Median at graduation$20,346
Monthly payment$216
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.5k
90th percentile$33,992
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
89%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1118
R 480–590 · M 430–580
ACT midpoint
23
Comp 19–25 · E 18–26 · M 17–24
SAT middle 50%: 910–1170
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 88.1% · women 90.3% 
Yield: 34.6% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If University of Central Arkansas asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 38%Women 62%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
15 : 1
Pell grant
38%
First-gen
35%
Family income
$37,082
Independent
16%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
11%
Where first-years come from
In state (AR)
90.7%
Out of state
6.6%
International
2.6%

Most out-of-state first-years from: TX 62 · OK 15 · TN 12 · LA 10 · MO 7

Race & ethnicity
White
64%
Hispanic
9%
Black
17%
Asian
2%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$36,670
After 10 yrs
$45,938
Psychology, General150
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness111
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing106
Business/Commerce, General90
Biology, General80
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods77
Computer and Information Sciences, General75
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions55
Marketing52
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities46
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General45
Fine and Studio Arts45
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas43
Accounting and Related Services42
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services40
Finance and Financial Management Services37
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$76M
Full-time faculty
76%
Faculty salary
$7,499/mo
Teaching spend
$9,836
per student
Federal loans
40%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
Research college or university
$3M research spending · 26 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if University of Central Arkansas is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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