University of Central Arkansas (UCA) vs Arkansas Tech University (ATU)

Nestled in the heart of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and Arkansas Tech University (ATU) stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. UCA, located in Conway, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. ATU, situated in Russellville, is known for its strong engineering and nursing programs, attracting students seeking specialized degrees in these fields. While UCA's student body is more diverse, ATU has a slightly higher graduation rate. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two esteemed universities. Explore the data and discover which institution aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
Arkansas Tech University logo

Arkansas Tech University

University of Central Arkansas logo

University of Central Arkansas

Overview

Location Russellville, Arkansas Conway, Arkansas
Campus setting Town: Remote 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 63.0% 71.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 94.4% 92.4%
Application fees $40
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 6,218 6,057
Total number of admissions given out 5,868 5,595
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,396 1,854
Yield rate 23.8% 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) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $27,125

Out of state: $32,861
In state: $25,219

Out of state: $32,089
Average net price $11,097 $14,042
Tuition
In state: $5,736

Out of state: $11,472
In state: $6,870

Out of state: $13,740
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,996

Meal plan: $4,000
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)

94.0%
Average amount $8,425
92.0%
Average amount $7,693
Students receiving federal student loan 43.0%
Average amount $6,090
51.0%
Average amount $5,106
Students taking out private loans 4.0%
Average amount $8,627
5.0%
Average amount $10,426

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 8,901
Men 43.8% Women 56.2%
8,244
Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students 739
Men 36.3% Women 63.7%
1,861
Men 26.6% Women 73.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 6.2% 7.9%
International students 2.2% 3.8%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote City: Small
Dormitory capacity 2,100 3,675
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Missouri Tennessee Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Tennessee Alabama

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Business
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 45.8% 49.4%
Dropout rate 30.2% 19.1%
Transferred out 22.2% 29.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,093
  • Year 2: $54,974
  • Year 3: $63,833
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,586
  • Year 2: $57,955
  • Year 3: $59,678
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,980
  • Year 2: $45,808
  • Year 3: $58,934
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,665
  • Year 2: $52,607
  • Year 3: $58,602
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,486
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $54,362
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,609
  • Year 2: $49,136
  • Year 3: $53,009
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,819
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $43,990
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,415
  • Year 2: $40,222
  • Year 3: $42,597
Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,633
  • Year 2: $36,668
  • Year 3: $41,833
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,931
  • Year 2: $38,649
  • Year 3: $41,419
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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