University of Central Arkansas — College Profile

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

Open in Google Maps

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These figures are federal data and may be out of date.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.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$14,656

$30–48k

$13,988

$48–75k

$16,203

$75–110k

$20,318

$110k+

$20,157

Your family's actual price → University of Central Arkansas net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

53%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

42%

Back for yr 2

73%

Transferred

25%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

50% graduated · 31% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 19% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

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 · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

89%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1118

R 480–590 · M 430–580

ACT midpoint

Comp 19–25 · E 18–26 · M 17–24

SAT middle 50%: 910–1170

40080012001600

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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%

Race & ethnicity

White

64%

Hispanic

Black

17%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

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 · measured 2020 & 2021

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