University of Central Arkansas vs. Harding University

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or Harding University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or Harding University 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. Harding University comparison
University of Central Arkansas Harding University College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas Harding University
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Overview

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
Location Conway, AR Searcy, AR
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 9,913 4,805
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #477
Religious Affiliation - Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu harding.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $22,500
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $22,500
Room & Board $8,250 $7,984
Avg Net Price $15,456 $19,558
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $14,682
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 97%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 2,254
Admitted 5,949 1,017
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 45.1%
Enrolled % 30.3% 78.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 20/28
SAT Range 940/1130 1040/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline

Academics

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
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%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
Graduation Rate 40% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $221 $279

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 83%
% Black 18% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
% In-State 90% 28%
% Out-of-State 8% 68%

Campus

University of Central Arkansas Harding University
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 Harding University based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 4,805 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Harding University Cost Comparison

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

  • Harding University is 223.7% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($22,500.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 61.9% higher at Harding University than University of Central Arkansas ($22,500.00 vs. $13,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Arkansas than Harding University ($15,456 vs. $19,558)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 3.3% lower than costs at University of Central Arkansas ($7,984 vs. $8,250)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas as Harding University (97% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harding University students is 79.6% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($14,682 vs. $8,177)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Harding University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Harding University (1135) is 67 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1068)
  • Incoming Harding University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Central Arkansas (23)
  • Accepted freshman Harding University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at University of Central Arkansas (3.7)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than Harding University (45.1%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Harding University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Harding University is higher than University of Central Arkansas (63% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Harding University earn on average $4,000 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $5,585 lower median federal student loan debt than Harding University graduates. ($21,415 vs. $27,000)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $58 less per month on federal student loans than Harding University graduates. ($221 vs. $279)
  • More Harding University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)

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