University of Central Arkansas
#4 Best Business Colleges in Arkansas- Graduation Rate
- 53% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,938 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,511 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 89% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.6 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Business Colleges in Arkansas.
Every $1 spent returns $18.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,160,745.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Social mobility rate of 2.15% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Central Arkansas Matters
University of Central Arkansas is a public doctoral / professional university in Conway, AR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 7,762
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Education
Why students choose University of Central Arkansas
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 89% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 910–1170. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,511 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,938 ten years after enrolling — 13% above the typical college, against $20,346 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 24% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.38 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
The University of Central Arkansas has an acceptance rate of 89%, making it accessible for a wide range of students. This high rate reflects the university's commitment to welcoming diverse applicants. With an enrollment of 7,762, the campus fosters a vibrant community where students can easily find their niche.
Looking at outcomes, graduates from the University of Central Arkansas earn a median salary of $45,938 ten years after enrollment. While the graduation rate stands at 53%, the university is working to improve student success and retention. The data, though limited in some areas, indicates that many students can find their footing in the job market post-graduation.
From a practical standpoint, the net price for attending UCA is $16,511, with a median debt of $20,346 for graduates. About 38% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the support for low-income students. Those who thrive here are often drawn to strong programs in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Education, and Visual & Performing Arts.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Central Arkansas is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Central Arkansas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Central Arkansas, located in Conway, Arkansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,118. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- SAT Average
- 1118
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 910–1170
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 76%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,499
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 6,522
- Admitted
- 5,949
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Central Arkansas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Central Arkansas is $18,023, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,511. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,656 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,346 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,523
- Out-of-State
- $18,023
- Avg Net Price
- $16,511
- Median Debt
- $20,346
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,656
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,988
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,203
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,157
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Central Arkansas — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Central Arkansas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Central Arkansas earn a median of $45,938, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,670
- 8 Years
- $42,426
- 10 Years
- $45,938
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (661)
- 31%
- 100% (661)
- 31%
- 100% (661)
- 31%
- 100% (661)
- 31%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Central Arkansas Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Central Arkansas delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,511/year ($66,044 total). Graduates earn $45,938 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,226,789 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,160,745 (18.6× your investment). The median debt is $20,346, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 53% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,044
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,226,789
- Net Return
- $1,160,745
- ROI Multiple
- 18.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,511
- Median Debt
- $20,346
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Central Arkansas Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Central Arkansas is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.15%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.15%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $104,888
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,099,885
- Investment Income
- $318,949
Top Programs
The fields University of Central Arkansas awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $56,711 early-career
- Health Professions 17% $69,916 early-career
- Psychology 8% $32,345 early-career
- Education 8% $44,027 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $45,495 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $26,531 early-career
- Humanities 5% $31,312 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $61,913 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Central Arkansas's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Central Arkansas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Central Arkansas, located in Conway, Arkansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,118. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Central Arkansas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Central Arkansas is $18,023, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,511. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,656 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,346 in federal student loans.
Is University of Central Arkansas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Central Arkansas earn a median of $45,938, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Central Arkansas Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Central Arkansas is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.15%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Central Arkansas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Central Arkansas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Central Arkansas.
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA · Close peer51% grad $47,295 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO · Close peer41% grad $45,823 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of MaineOrono, ME · Close peer56% grad $48,653 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY · Close peer48% grad $45,036 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of MontanaMissoula, MT · Close peer47% grad $44,511 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX · Close peer53% grad $49,634 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Central Arkansas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Central Arkansas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note