University of Central Arkansas vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Arkansas is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Radford University 14:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or RU? 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 RU ($16,546 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 27.1% lower than at Radford University ($9,110 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Central Arkansas (about $2,025 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $10,523.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.2% higher at RU than at University of Central Arkansas (about $7,610 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $18,023.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Radford University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 33.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($11,870 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 10 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of Central Arkansas (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 14.4% at RU.

University of Central Arkansas vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $1,585 lower median loan debt than RU graduates ($21,415 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RU graduates ($221 vs. $237).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.