University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or Northwestern State University of Louisiana? 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. Northwestern State University of Louisiana comparison
University of Central Arkansas Northwestern State University of Louisiana College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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Overview

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Location Conway, AR Natchitoches, LA
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 9,913 9,389
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #975
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu nsula.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $5,180
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $15,968
Room & Board $8,250 $10,269
Avg Net Price $15,456 $14,238
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $9,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 89%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 2,903
Admitted 5,949 2,843
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 97.9%
Enrolled % 30.3% 35.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.3
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/23
SAT Range 940/1130 955/1135
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 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas NSU
Graduation Rate 40% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $38,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $21,531
Median Loan Payment $221 $222

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas NSU
% Men 36% 29%
% Women 64% 71%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 54%
% Black 18% 31%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

University of Central Arkansas NSU
% In-State 90% 98%
% Out-of-State 8% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 9,389 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Central Arkansas is 34.2% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($6,950.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.9% higher at NSU than University of Central Arkansas ($15,968.00 vs. $13,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than University of Central Arkansas ($14,238 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 24.5% lower than costs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($8,250 vs. $10,269)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (97% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 16.2% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($9,499 vs. $8,177)

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 60 points higher than at NSU (1008)
  • 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 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at NSU (3.3)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than University of Central Arkansas (91.2%)

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 University of Central Arkansas is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana (40% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $2,700 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $38,100)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $116 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($21,415 vs. $21,531)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($221 vs. $222)
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 46%)

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