K-State vs University of Central Arkansas (UCA)

Kansas State University and University of Central Arkansas, while both offering quality education, present distinct characteristics that cater to different student preferences. Kansas State, located in Manhattan, Kansas, boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. In contrast, the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas, maintains a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. Both universities offer diverse academic programs, with Kansas State excelling in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine, while Central Arkansas shines in business, education, and nursing. Explore the detailed comparison table to uncover further distinctions, including graduation rates, student demographics, and additional program offerings, to make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
Kansas State University logo

Kansas State University

University of Central Arkansas logo

University of Central Arkansas

Overview

Location Manhattan, Kansas Conway, Arkansas
Campus setting City: Small City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 86.0% 71.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 95.6% 92.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $45
SAT range N/A 980 - 1160
ACT range N/A 19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 94.0%
Total number of applicants 9,822 6,057
Total number of admissions given out 9,391 5,595
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,848 1,854
Yield rate 30.3% 33.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,866

Out of state: $39,937
In state: $25,219

Out of state: $32,089
Average net price $19,874 $14,042
Tuition
In state: $9,489

Out of state: $25,560
In state: $6,870

Out of state: $13,740
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,200

Meal plan: $4,900
Room/dormitory: $4,326

Meal plan: $3,570
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

88.0%
Average amount $6,774
92.0%
Average amount $7,693
Students receiving federal student loan 41.0%
Average amount $5,095
51.0%
Average amount $5,106
Students taking out private loans 5.0%
Average amount $14,579
5.0%
Average amount $10,426

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 15,619
Men 50.3% Women 49.7%
8,244
Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students 4,610
Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
1,861
Men 26.6% Women 73.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students 21.8% 7.9%
International students 5.4% 3.8%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Small
Dormitory capacity 5,696 3,675
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Kansas Missouri Texas Nebraska Colorado Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Tennessee Alabama

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Agriculture
  • Engineering
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 68.4% 49.4%
Dropout rate 9.3% 19.1%
Transferred out 20.4% 29.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,367
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $83,284
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,831
  • Year 2: $71,734
  • Year 3: $83,247
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,832
  • Year 2: $68,219
  • Year 3: $82,805
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,780
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $81,885
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,427
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $80,450
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,948
  • Year 2: $62,012
  • Year 3: $79,928
Architectural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,390
  • Year 2: $65,557
  • Year 3: $75,955
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,670
  • Year 2: $65,131
  • Year 3: $73,437
Agricultural and Food Products Processing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,969
  • Year 2: $63,749
  • Year 3: $69,822
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,353
  • Year 2: $59,124
  • Year 3: $65,198
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,284
  • Year 2: $92,358
  • Year 3: $96,070
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,491
  • Year 2: $70,736
  • Year 3: $76,640
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,696
  • Year 2: $67,548
  • Year 3: $65,753
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,174
  • Year 2: $58,842
  • Year 3: $59,396
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,787
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $57,030
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,827
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $55,240
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,080
  • Year 2: $45,305
  • Year 3: $52,677
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,462
  • Year 2: $47,729
  • Year 3: $52,542
Library Science, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,140
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $49,838
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,755
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $49,837

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