University of Central Arkansas vs. Blackburn College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Arkansas is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 513 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Blackburn College is in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Blackburn College 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 8.1% lower than at Blackburn College ($9,110 vs. $9,915).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at Blackburn College than at University of Central Arkansas (about $10,126 more per year; $28,149 vs. $18,023).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at University of Central Arkansas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 118.6% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($19,456 vs. $8,901).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Blackburn College (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at University of Central Arkansas, test-free at Blackburn College.
• Enrolled first-year students at University of Central Arkansas average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at Blackburn College (3.23).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 25.7% at Blackburn College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $4,585 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($21,415 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($221 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 57%).

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