University of Central Arkansas (UCA) vs Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)

Nestled in the heart of Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), located in the picturesque city of Richmond, Kentucky, stand as two distinct institutions of higher learning. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they offer unique experiences shaped by their distinct characteristics. UCA boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. EKU, on the other hand, offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, catering to diverse academic interests. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including their acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for a fulfilling and transformative higher education journey.
Eastern Kentucky University logo

Eastern Kentucky University

University of Central Arkansas logo

University of Central Arkansas

Overview

Location Richmond, Kentucky Conway, Arkansas
Campus setting Town: Distant 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 74.0% 71.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 98.3% 92.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $45
SAT range 950 - 1180 980 - 1160
ACT range 18 - 24 19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 4.0% 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 88.0% 94.0%
Total number of applicants 7,251 6,057
Total number of admissions given out 7,131 5,595
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,493 1,854
Yield rate 35.0% 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: $23,762

Out of state: $34,034
In state: $25,219

Out of state: $32,089
Average net price $14,271 $14,042
Tuition
In state: $9,452

Out of state: $19,724
In state: $6,870

Out of state: $13,740
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,416

Meal plan: $3,994
Room/dormitory: $4,326

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

98.0%
Average amount $9,891
92.0%
Average amount $7,693
Students receiving federal student loan 49.0%
Average amount $4,950
51.0%
Average amount $5,106
Students taking out private loans 5.0%
Average amount $10,455
5.0%
Average amount $10,426

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 11,684
Men 40.6% Women 59.4%
8,244
Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students 2,300
Men 30.0% Women 70.0%
1,861
Men 26.6% Women 73.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A 7.9%
International students 1.1% 3.8%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant City: Small
Dormitory capacity 4,479 3,675
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Ohio Illinois Indiana West Virginia Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Tennessee Alabama

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Liberal Arts
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 15:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 47.8% 49.4%
Dropout rate 48.5% 19.1%
Transferred out 1.6% 29.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $110,878
  • Year 3: $113,532
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,123
  • Year 2: $90,291
  • Year 3: $95,519
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,935
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $78,046
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,209
  • Year 2: $74,105
  • Year 3: $74,692
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,585
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $71,030
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,959
  • Year 2: $60,523
  • Year 3: $62,961
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,605
  • Year 2: $49,019
  • Year 3: $62,600
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,959
  • Year 2: $60,523
  • Year 3: $61,708
Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,702
  • Year 2: $49,787
  • Year 3: $58,036
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,745
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $57,935
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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