University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) vs University of Arkansas (Uark)

Nestled in the heartland of America, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Arkansas (UA) stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. UNL, with its rich history dating back to 1869, boasts a sprawling campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, while UA, founded in 1871, calls the vibrant city of Fayetteville, Arkansas, its home. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Arkansas	University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Overview
Location	Fayetteville, Arkansas	Lincoln, Nebraska
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
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	87.0%	80.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	82.7%	81.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1050 - 1220	1090 - 1320
ACT range	21 - 28	22 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	8.0%
Students submitting ACT score	78.0%	85.0%
Total number of applicants	21,462	17,775
Total number of admissions given out	17,743	14,411
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,065	4,736
Yield rate	34.2%	32.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,978 Out of state: $43,794	In state: $26,316 Out of state: $43,446
Average net price	$15,218	$18,403
Tuition	In state: $7,666 Out of state: $24,482	In state: $7,770 Out of state: $24,900
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,744 Meal plan: $4,198	Room/dormitory: $7,485 Meal plan: $4,653
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	65.0% Average amount $8,362	96.0% Average amount $8,608
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $5,442	34.0% Average amount $4,691
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $16,058	5.0% Average amount $13,909

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,265 Men 44.1% Women 55.9%	19,552 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%
Graduate students	4,803 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%	4,879 Men 49.2% Women 50.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	56.6%	25.7%
International students	4.1%	7.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,232	6,936
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Arkansas Texas Missouri Oklahoma Kansas	Nebraska Illinois Minnesota Kansas Iowa

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Education Health Professions Business Engineering Technologies	Engineering Agriculture Education Business Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.7%	66.4%
Dropout rate	28.4%	10.7%
Transferred out	N/A	21.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,450 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $123,792 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,048 Year 2: $71,854 Year 3: $82,519 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,784 Year 2: $69,079 Year 3: $80,036 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,033 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $78,844 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,024 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $75,031 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,436 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $74,432 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,594 Year 2: $69,524 Year 3: $73,914 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,595 Year 2: $62,463 Year 3: $72,333 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $53,737 Year 2: $58,479 Year 3: $68,196 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,418 Year 2: $50,606 Year 3: $66,051	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,695 Year 2: $91,017 Year 3: $102,607 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $74,888 Year 2: $78,134 Year 3: $86,893 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,533 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $86,584 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,494 Year 2: $68,918 Year 3: $78,265 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,969 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $75,873 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,040 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $74,823 Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $72,325 Year 3: $73,798 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $61,124 Year 2: $58,402 Year 3: $73,111 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,572 Year 2: $66,168 Year 3: $72,183 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,299 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $71,063

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic strengths of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) compared to the University of Arkansas (U of A)?

UNL is particularly strong in agricultural sciences, engineering, and business, benefiting from its land-grant mission and strong ties to the state's agricultural industry. The University of Arkansas excels in architecture, business (especially supply chain management), and law. Both universities offer a wide range of other academic programs, but these are areas where they have a particularly strong reputation.
How does the cost of attendance compare between UNL and U of A?

Generally, both universities offer competitive tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. However, specific costs can vary depending on the program of study, living arrangements, and financial aid received. It's recommended to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as details on financial aid opportunities.
What is the student life like at UNL versus U of A?

Both universities offer a vibrant student life with numerous clubs, organizations, and activities. UNL has a strong emphasis on Greek life and a dedicated fanbase for its athletic programs, particularly football. The University of Arkansas also boasts a lively campus atmosphere, with a strong sense of community and a passionate following for its Razorbacks athletic teams. The specific feel of each campus can vary, so visiting both campuses, if possible, is a great way to get a sense of the environment.
How do the campus environments differ between UNL and U of A?

UNL's campus is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, a mid-sized city with a friendly atmosphere. The campus itself is known for its classic architecture and green spaces. The University of Arkansas is situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a city known for its outdoor recreation opportunities and a growing arts scene. The U of A campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, with a beautiful setting in the Ozark Mountains.
What are the athletic programs like at UNL and U of A?

Both universities have highly competitive athletic programs. UNL is a member of the Big Ten Conference and is particularly known for its football and volleyball programs. The University of Arkansas competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and is renowned for its track and field, baseball, and basketball teams. Both schools offer a wide variety of other sports, providing ample opportunities for student involvement and school spirit.
What are the research opportunities like at UNL and U of A?

Both universities are committed to research and offer numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects. UNL has a strong research focus in areas related to agriculture, engineering, and natural resources. The University of Arkansas excels in research related to architecture, engineering, and materials science. Students interested in research should explore the faculty profiles and research centers at each university to find opportunities that align with their interests.
How does the location of each university affect career opportunities?

UNL's location in Lincoln, Nebraska, provides access to opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and government. The University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, benefits from its proximity to a growing regional economy with opportunities in retail, logistics, and technology. Both universities have strong career services departments that assist students with internships, job placement, and career development.
What is the acceptance rate at UNL versus U of A?

Both universities generally have a moderately selective admissions process. Acceptance rates can fluctuate from year to year, so it's best to consult the most recent admissions statistics on each university's website. Admission requirements, such as GPA and standardized test scores (if required), are also available on their respective websites.
How do the alumni networks compare between UNL and U of A?

Both universities have active and supportive alumni networks. UNL's alumni network is particularly strong in the Midwest, while the University of Arkansas's network is well-established throughout the South and increasingly nationally. These networks can be valuable resources for career networking, mentorship, and professional development.
Which university is a better fit for me?

The best university for you depends on your individual academic interests, career goals, and personal preferences. Consider the academic programs, campus environment, student life, and location of each university. Visiting both campuses, if possible, and talking to current students can help you determine which university is the better fit for you.

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