University of Central Arkansas vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or CSUMB? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Monterey Bay than University of Central Arkansas ($14,493 vs. $16,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 47.1% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($9,110 vs. $17,234).
• University of Central Arkansas is 35.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $2,744 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at CSUMB than at University of Central Arkansas (about $2,356 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $18,023.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at California State University Monterey Bay (95% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 36.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($12,185 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or CSUMB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSUMB and University of Central Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 20 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than University of Central Arkansas (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

University of Central Arkansas vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and CSUMB? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Central Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $7,415 lower median loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($14,000 vs. $21,415).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Central Arkansas graduates ($144 vs. $221).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.