University of Central Arkansas vs. EIU

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or Eastern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or EIU 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.

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University of Central Arkansas vs. Eastern Illinois University comparison
University of Central Arkansas Eastern Illinois University College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas Eastern Illinois University
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Overview

University of Central Arkansas EIU
Location Conway, AR Charleston, IL
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 9,913 8,857
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #672
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu eiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas EIU
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $9,709
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $12,136
Room & Board $8,250 $10,812
Avg Net Price $15,456 $13,380
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $11,773
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas EIU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 11,584
Admitted 5,949 7,873
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 68%
Enrolled % 30.3% 11.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.39
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 940/1130 900/1120
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 EIU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas EIU
Graduation Rate 40% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $43,500
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $23,650
Median Loan Payment $221 $244

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas EIU
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 68%
% Black 18% 19%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

University of Central Arkansas EIU
% In-State 90% 91%
% Out-of-State 8% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than EIU based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 8,857 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. EIU Cost Comparison

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

  • Eastern Illinois University is 39.7% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.5% higher at University of Central Arkansas than Eastern Illinois University ($13,900.00 vs. $12,136.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than University of Central Arkansas ($13,380 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 31.1% lower than costs at Eastern Illinois University ($8,250 vs. $10,812)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than University of Central Arkansas (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 44% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($11,773 vs. $8,177)

University of Central Arkansas vs. EIU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 58 points higher than at EIU (1010)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at EIU (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at EIU (3.39)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than EIU (68%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Central Arkansas or EIU? 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 EIU and University of Central Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than University of Central Arkansas (59% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $2,700 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $2,235 lower median federal student loan debt than EIU graduates. ($21,415 vs. $23,650)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than EIU graduates. ($221 vs. $244)
  • More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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