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University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR·Public·7,426 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Arkansas residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 7,426 students.

90%
Accept
7,426
Students
$16,775
Net Price
53%
Grad Rate
$42,500
Earnings
10 yr
$13,000
Debt

About This School

University of Central Arkansas is a public institution located in Conway, Arkansas with approximately 7,426 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Central Arkansas has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 90%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,775 per year. The graduation rate is 53%, and the typical graduate earns $42,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

The numbers tell a mixed story here — with a 90% acceptance rate and $16,775 average annual cost, UCA is an accessible, affordable option, especially for students pursuing education or regional careers in Arkansas. However, the 53% graduation rate is a real concern, meaning roughly half of students who start here don't finish, so strong self-motivation and a clear academic plan matter more than at other schools. If you stay the course, median debt of just $13,000 at graduation is impressively low, though the $42,500 median earnings at 10 years suggests modest long-term returns unless your field or career goals align well with the regional job market.

Founded
1907
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing18%
Health Professions16%
Psychology9%
Education8%
Visual & Performing Arts6%
Computer Science6%
Social Sciences5%
Biological Sciences5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Scottie PippenKris AllenGil GerardDee BrownMary L. GoodArthur HunnicuttJames BridgesKayle Browning

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1117
Reading 75th %ile570
Math 75th %ile550

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite23

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$10,118
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,258
Avg Net Price
$16,775
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants37%
Median debt at graduation$13,000

Full Cost

Cost of attendance$24,265

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
53%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
73%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$13,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$13,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$32,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.3x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White65%
Black17%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,426 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of Central Arkansas

201 Donaghey Ave

Conway, AR 72035-0001

View on Google Maps →

Official Links

Other Schools in Arkansas

Browse all Arkansas schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Official School Resources
Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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