University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU

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

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Location Conway, AR Aberdeen, SD
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 9,913 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $10,718
Room & Board $8,250 $9,150
Avg Net Price $15,456 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 91%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 1,322
Admitted 5,949 1,033
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 78.1%
Enrolled % 30.3% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.37
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 940/1130 800/1150
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 NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Graduation Rate 40% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $221 $252

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas NSU
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 83%
% Black 18% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of Central Arkansas NSU
% In-State 90% 69%
% Out-of-State 8% 30%

Campus

University of Central Arkansas NSU
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 NSU based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 3,344 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern State University is 9.6% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.7% higher at University of Central Arkansas than Northern State University ($13,900.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Arkansas than NSU ($15,456 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 10.9% lower than costs at Northern State University ($8,250 vs. $9,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than Northern State University (97% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 43.1% larger than aid received Northern State University ($8,177 vs. $5,715)

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 44 points higher than at NSU (1024)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than NSU (78.1%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than University of Central Arkansas (42% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $3,400 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $37,400)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $2,984 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($21,415 vs. $24,399)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($221 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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