University of Central Arkansas vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Deciding between University of Central Arkansas and Middle Tennessee State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Central Arkansas
Middle Tennessee State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
  • Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
  • Setting
  • University of Central Arkansas Distant Town
  • Middle Tennessee State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Central Arkansas 10,112
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20,488
  • Type
  • University of Central Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • Middle Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Central Arkansas #826
  • Middle Tennessee State University #664
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Central Arkansas -
  • Middle Tennessee State University -
  • Status
  • University of Central Arkansas Non-profit
  • Middle Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Central Arkansas uca.edu
  • Middle Tennessee State University mtsu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Middle Tennessee State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $10,523
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,266
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $18,023
  • Middle Tennessee State University $31,574
  • Room & Board
  • University of Central Arkansas $9,110
  • Middle Tennessee State University $12,242
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Central Arkansas $16,546
  • Middle Tennessee State University $13,859
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas $8,901
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,665
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas 95%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 94%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Central Arkansas Calculate
  • Middle Tennessee State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Central Arkansas 7,039
  • Middle Tennessee State University 14,989
  • Admitted
  • University of Central Arkansas 6,299
  • Middle Tennessee State University 10,356
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 89.5%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 69.1%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Central Arkansas 34.6%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 30.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 1040
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 22
  • Middle Tennessee State University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Central Arkansas 3.7
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Central Arkansas A-
  • Middle Tennessee State University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Central Arkansas Easy
  • Middle Tennessee State University Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Middle Tennessee State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 19/25
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 910/1170
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Central Arkansas Test optional
  • Middle Tennessee State University Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Central Arkansas 15:1
  • Middle Tennessee State University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Central Arkansas
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Education (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Middle Tennessee State University
    • Business (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Communication (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 40%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Central Arkansas $40,800
  • Middle Tennessee State University $42,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Central Arkansas 57%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Central Arkansas $21,415
  • Middle Tennessee State University $21,758
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Central Arkansas $221
  • Middle Tennessee State University $224

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Central Arkansas 36%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 46%
  • % Women
  • University of Central Arkansas 64%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Central Arkansas Medium
  • Middle Tennessee State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • % White
  • University of Central Arkansas 66%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 64%
  • % Asian
  • University of Central Arkansas 2%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Central Arkansas 18%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 22%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Central Arkansas 5%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Central Arkansas 0%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % International
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 91%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 90%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 7%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 8%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Middle Tennessee State University is larger than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (20,488 students vs. 10,112 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University than University of Central Arkansas ($13,859 vs. $16,546).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 25.6% lower than at Middle Tennessee State University ($9,110 vs. $12,242).
  • University of Central Arkansas is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $257 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $10,266.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 75.2% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than at University of Central Arkansas (about $13,551 more per year; $31,574.00 vs. $18,023.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Middle Tennessee State University (95% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($10,665 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University and University of Central Arkansas.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middle Tennessee State University (1120) is 80 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
  • Incoming Middle Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at University of Central Arkansas).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64).
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and Middle Tennessee State University? 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).

  • Middle Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $343 lower median loan debt than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($21,415 vs. $21,758).
  • Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($221 vs. $224).
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

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.