University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Northern State University 19:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or NSU? 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 Northern State University than University of Central Arkansas ($15,990 vs. $16,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 14.1% lower than at Northern State University ($9,110 vs. $10,600).
• University of Central Arkansas is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,678 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.9% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Northern State University (about $6,076 more per year; $18,023.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at University of Central Arkansas (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 38.2% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($8,901 vs. $6,441).

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 30 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• 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).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than University of Central Arkansas (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 35.2% at NSU.

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and NSU? 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $2,984 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,415 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.