University of Central Arkansas
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 7,762 students.
About This School
University of Central Arkansas is a public institution located in Conway, Arkansas with approximately 7,762 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Central Arkansas has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 89%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,511 per year. The graduation rate is 54%, 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.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,762 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Arkansas
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR · Public
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR · Public
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR · Public
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, AR · Public
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR · Public
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
North Little Rock, AR · Public
Sources & Methodology
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.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- 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.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.