University of South Florida (USF) vs University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
When it comes to higher education, the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. USF, located in the vibrant city of Tampa, Florida, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, while UCA, nestled in the historic city of Conway, Arkansas, offers a more intimate learning environment and a strong focus on undergraduate education. With acceptance rates of 48% and 79%, respectively, both universities provide accessible pathways to higher education. While USF excels in popular majors like business, engineering, and health sciences, UCA shines in fields such as education, nursing, and social work. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() University of Central Arkansas |
![]() University of South Florida |
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Overview |
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Location | Conway, Arkansas | Tampa, Florida |
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 | 71.0% | 90.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 92.4% | 49.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$45
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
|
SAT range | 980 - 1160 | 1140 - 1330 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 24 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 70.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 94.0% | 30.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,057 | 50,352 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,595 | 24,863 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,854 | 6,279 |
Yield rate | 33.1% | 25.3% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$25,219
Out of state:
$32,089
|
In state:
$21,812
Out of state:
$32,726
|
Average net price | $14,042 | $11,419 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,870
Out of state:
$13,740
|
In state:
$4,559
Out of state:
$15,473
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,326
Meal plan:
$3,570
|
Room/dormitory:
$8,328
Meal plan:
$4,240
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $7,693 |
98.0%
Average amount $9,965 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
51.0%
Average amount $5,106 |
20.0%
Average amount $6,281 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $10,426 |
2.0%
Average amount $11,370 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,244
Men 39.0% Women 61.0% |
38,011
Men 43.2% Women 56.8% |
Graduate students |
1,861
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
11,697
Men 38.6% Women 61.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 7.9% | 14.9% |
International students | 3.8% | 9.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,675 | 7,468 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Tennessee Alabama | Florida New Jersey New York Illinois Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 22:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 49.4% | 74.6% |
Dropout rate | 19.1% | 13.4% |
Transferred out | 29.7% | 10.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Library Science, Other (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
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