University of Central Arkansas vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or 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 University of Central Arkansas than Northwest ($16,546 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 25.8% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($9,110 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Central Arkansas (about $88 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $10,523.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at University of Central Arkansas than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $699 more per year; $18,023.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas as at Northwest Missouri State University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 2.2% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($9,101 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Missouri State University (1080) is 40 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 Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Northwest (3.45).
• University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

University of Central Arkansas vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northwest Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
• Graduates from Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $3,585 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($21,415 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($221 vs. $258).
• More Northwest 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.