University of Central Arkansas vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between University of Central Arkansas and University of Northern Colorado? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Central Arkansas
University of Northern Colorado

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • University of Central Arkansas Distant Town
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Central Arkansas 10,112
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • University of Central Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Central Arkansas #826
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Central Arkansas -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • University of Central Arkansas Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Central Arkansas uca.edu
  • University of Northern Colorado unco.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $10,523
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Central Arkansas $18,023
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • University of Central Arkansas $9,110
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Central Arkansas $16,546
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas $8,901
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Central Arkansas 95%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Central Arkansas Calculate
  • University of Northern Colorado Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Central Arkansas 7,039
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • University of Central Arkansas 6,299
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 89.5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Central Arkansas 34.6%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 1040
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Central Arkansas 22
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Central Arkansas 3.7
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Central Arkansas A-
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Central Arkansas Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 19/25
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • University of Central Arkansas 910/1170
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Central Arkansas Test optional
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Central Arkansas 15:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Central Arkansas
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Education (4%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Central Arkansas 40%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Central Arkansas $40,800
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Central Arkansas 57%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Central Arkansas $21,415
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Central Arkansas $221
  • University of Northern Colorado $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Central Arkansas 36%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • University of Central Arkansas 64%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Central Arkansas Medium
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Central Arkansas No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • University of Central Arkansas 66%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • University of Central Arkansas 2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • University of Central Arkansas 18%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Central Arkansas 5%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Central Arkansas 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • University of Central Arkansas 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Central Arkansas 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 91%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Central Arkansas 7%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Arkansas is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Central Arkansas vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or University of Northern Colorado? 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 University of Northern Colorado ($16,546 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 43.6% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($9,110 vs. $16,154).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Central Arkansas (about $1,893 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $10,523.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 51.3% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at University of Central Arkansas (about $9,243 more per year; $27,266.00 vs. $18,023.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas as at University of Northern Colorado (95% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 12.3% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($9,992 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 30 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at University of Central Arkansas).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; University of Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Northern Colorado (3.53).
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

University of Central Arkansas vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Colorado's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of Central Arkansas's (40%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $555 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($21,415 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($221 vs. $227).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.