University of Central Arkansas vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or Shepherd University 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. Shepherd University comparison
University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
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Overview

University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
Location Conway, AR Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Distant Town Town Fringe
Enrollment 9,913 3,235
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $15,774
Room & Board $8,250 $10,987
Avg Net Price $15,456 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 93%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 1,690
Admitted 5,949 1,620
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 95.9%
Enrolled % 30.3% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/24
SAT Range 940/1130 930/1170
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 Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 40% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $221 $229

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 82%
% Black 18% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
% In-State 90% 64%
% Out-of-State 8% 35%

Campus

University of Central Arkansas Shepherd University
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 Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 3,235 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Central Arkansas is 10.5% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($6,950.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.5% higher at Shepherd University than University of Central Arkansas ($15,774.00 vs. $13,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than University of Central Arkansas ($9,827 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 33.2% lower than costs at Shepherd University ($8,250 vs. $10,987)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than Shepherd University (97% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Arkansas students is 11.6% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($8,177 vs. $7,328)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or University of Central Arkansas .

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Arkansas (1068) is 73 points higher than at Shepherd University (995)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Shepherd University (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Shepherd University (3.6)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than University of Central Arkansas (91.2%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Central Arkansas or Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University and University of Central Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at Shepherd University is higher than University of Central Arkansas (46% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $700 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $40,800)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $808 lower median federal student loan debt than Shepherd University graduates. ($21,415 vs. $22,223)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Shepherd University graduates. ($221 vs. $229)
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)

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