ATU vs. University of Central Arkansas

Arkansas Tech University and University of Central Arkansas side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Arkansas Tech University
University of Central Arkansas

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of Central Arkansas (89.5% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: ATU. Average net price is $12,626 vs $16,546 at University of Central Arkansas.
  • Graduation: ATU 43% vs University of Central Arkansas 40%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ATU $37,100 vs University of Central Arkansas $40,800 (median).
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Key differences

Arkansas Tech University University of Central Arkansas
Acceptance rate
University of Central Arkansas more selective
ATU95.9%
University of Central Arkansas89.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
University of Central Arkansas higher
ATU880-1100
University of Central Arkansas910-1170
Average net price
ATU $3,920 less
ATU$12,626
University of Central Arkansas$16,546
In-state tuition
ATU $1,849 less
ATU$8,674
University of Central Arkansas$10,523
Out-of-state tuition
ATU $3,355 less
ATU$14,668
University of Central Arkansas$18,023
Graduation rate
ATU +3 pts
ATU43%
University of Central Arkansas40%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Central Arkansas +$3,700
ATU$37,100
University of Central Arkansas$40,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ATU 3,654
  • University of Central Arkansas 7,039
  • Admitted
  • ATU 3,504
  • University of Central Arkansas 6,299
  • Acceptance rate
  • ATU 95.9%
  • University of Central Arkansas 89.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ATU 33.6%
  • University of Central Arkansas 34.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ATU 990
  • University of Central Arkansas 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • ATU 20
  • University of Central Arkansas 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • ATU 3.37
  • University of Central Arkansas 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • ATU B+
  • University of Central Arkansas A-
  • Admissions standards
  • ATU Extremely Easy
  • University of Central Arkansas Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • ATU
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • SAT range
  • ATU 880-1100
  • University of Central Arkansas 910-1170
  • ACT range
  • ATU 17-23
  • University of Central Arkansas 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • ATU Required
  • University of Central Arkansas Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ATU
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ATU $8,674
  • University of Central Arkansas $10,523
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ATU $14,668
  • University of Central Arkansas $18,023
  • Room & board
  • ATU $10,338
  • University of Central Arkansas $9,110
  • Average net price
  • ATU $12,626
  • University of Central Arkansas $16,546
  • Average grant aid
  • ATU $9,901
  • University of Central Arkansas $8,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ATU 93%
  • University of Central Arkansas 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • ATU 43%
  • University of Central Arkansas 40%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ATU $37,100
  • University of Central Arkansas $40,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • ATU 51%
  • University of Central Arkansas 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ATU $17,750
  • University of Central Arkansas $21,415
  • Median loan payment
  • ATU $183
  • University of Central Arkansas $221
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ATU 17:1
  • University of Central Arkansas 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • ATU
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Business (12%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • University of Central Arkansas
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Education (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Location
  • ATU Russellville, AR
  • University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
  • Setting
  • ATU Remote Town
  • University of Central Arkansas Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ATU 8,746
  • University of Central Arkansas 10,112
  • Type
  • ATU Public 4 Year
  • University of Central Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ATU #960
  • University of Central Arkansas #826

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than ATU based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 8,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); University of Central Arkansas is in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting).
  • Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; University of Central Arkansas 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 11.9% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($9,110 vs. $10,338).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Arkansas Tech University (about $3,355 more per year; $18,023 vs. $14,668).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Arkansas Tech University (95% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 11.2% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($9,901 vs. $8,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at University of Central Arkansas than at ATU (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at ATU, test optional at University of Central Arkansas.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of Central Arkansas average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at ATU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $3,665 lower median loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($17,750 vs. $21,415).
  • Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($183 vs. $221).
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 51%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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