University of Central Arkansas vs. IU Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest than University of Central Arkansas ($5,745 vs. $16,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 17% lower than at Indiana University Northwest ($9,110 vs. $10,972).
• University of Central Arkansas is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $2,099 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at IU Northwest than at University of Central Arkansas (about $4,788 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $18,023.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Indiana University Northwest (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($8,901 vs. $8,327).

University of Central Arkansas vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or IU Northwest? 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 IU Northwest and University of Central Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Northwest (1050) is 10 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at IU Northwest (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; IU Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

University of Central Arkansas vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $3,615 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($21,415 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 33%)

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.