University of Central Arkansas vs. ECU

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or East Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or ECU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of Central Arkansas vs. East Central University comparison
University of Central Arkansas East Central University College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas East Central University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of Central Arkansas ECU
Location Conway, AR Ada, OK
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 9,913 3,376
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #928
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu ecok.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas ECU
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $6,001
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $15,361
Room & Board $8,250 $7,752
Avg Net Price $15,456 $10,221
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $8,853
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 89%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas ECU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 1,200
Admitted 5,949 841
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 70.1%
Enrolled % 30.3% 59.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.31
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 16/22
SAT Range 940/1130 960/1078
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

University of Central Arkansas ECU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas ECU
Graduation Rate 40% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $16,878
Median Loan Payment $221 $174

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas ECU
% Men 36% 38%
% Women 64% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 55%
% Black 18% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 1% 14%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 10%
% International 4% 10%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

University of Central Arkansas ECU
% In-State 90% 88%
% Out-of-State 8% 11%

Campus

University of Central Arkansas ECU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than ECU based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 3,376 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or ECU?

  • University of Central Arkansas is 15.8% more expensive to attend than ECU for in-state tuition ($6,950.00 vs. $6,001.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.5% higher at ECU than University of Central Arkansas ($15,361.00 vs. $13,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than University of Central Arkansas ($10,221 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 6.4% lower than costs at University of Central Arkansas ($7,752 vs. $8,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than East Central University (97% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by East Central University students is 8.3% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($8,853 vs. $8,177)

University of Central Arkansas vs. ECU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or ECU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ECU or University of Central Arkansas .

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 98 points higher than at ECU (970)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at ECU (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at ECU (3.31)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than ECU (70.1%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Central Arkansas or ECU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ECU and University of Central Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at University of Central Arkansas is higher than East Central University (40% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $500 more per year than ECU graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $40,300)
  • East Central University students graduate with a $4,537 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Central Arkansas graduates. ($16,878 vs. $21,415)
  • ECU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than University of Central Arkansas graduates. ($174 vs. $221)
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/