University of Central Arkansas vs. SHSU

University of Central Arkansas and Sam Houston State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Central Arkansas
Sam Houston State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of Central Arkansas (89.5% admitted vs 90.3%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: SHSU. Average net price is $14,737 vs $16,546 at University of Central Arkansas.
  • Graduation: University of Central Arkansas 40% vs SHSU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: University of Central Arkansas $40,800 vs SHSU $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of Central Arkansas Sam Houston State University
Acceptance rate
University of Central Arkansas more selective
University of Central Arkansas89.5%
SHSU90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
University of Central Arkansas higher
University of Central Arkansas910-1170
SHSU930-1120
Average net price
SHSU $1,809 less
University of Central Arkansas$16,546
SHSU$14,737
In-state tuition
SHSU $1,295 less
University of Central Arkansas$10,523
SHSU$9,228
Out-of-state tuition
University of Central Arkansas $1,045 less
University of Central Arkansas$18,023
SHSU$19,068
Graduation rate
SHSU +10 pts
University of Central Arkansas40%
SHSU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$7,000
University of Central Arkansas$40,800
SHSU$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • University of Central Arkansas 7,039
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • University of Central Arkansas 6,299
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 89.5%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • University of Central Arkansas 34.6%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 1040
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 22
  • SHSU 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • University of Central Arkansas 3.7
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • University of Central Arkansas A-
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • University of Central Arkansas Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • SHSU
  • SAT range
  • University of Central Arkansas 910-1170
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • ACT range
  • University of Central Arkansas 19-25
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • University of Central Arkansas Test optional
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • University of Central Arkansas $10,523
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • University of Central Arkansas $18,023
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & board
  • University of Central Arkansas $9,110
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average net price
  • University of Central Arkansas $16,546
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average grant aid
  • University of Central Arkansas $8,901
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % receiving grant aid
  • University of Central Arkansas 95%
  • SHSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 40%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • University of Central Arkansas $40,800
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • University of Central Arkansas 57%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • University of Central Arkansas $21,415
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • University of Central Arkansas $221
  • SHSU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • University of Central Arkansas 15:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • University of Central Arkansas
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Education (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • University of Central Arkansas Distant Town
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Central Arkansas 10,112
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • University of Central Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • University of Central Arkansas #826
  • SHSU #794

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Sam Houston State University is larger than University of Central Arkansas based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 10,112 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 22.3% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($9,110 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at SHSU than at University of Central Arkansas (about $1,045 more per year; $19,068 vs. $18,023).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Sam Houston State University (95% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 19.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($10,669 vs. $8,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at University of Central Arkansas than at SHSU (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both University of Central Arkansas and SHSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of Central Arkansas average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.45 higher than at SHSU (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $85 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($21,415 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($221 vs. $222).
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 57%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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