Overview of University of Central Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas is situated in Conway, Arkansas, just a few miles from Hendrix College. Undergraduates can select from 89-degree programs within UCA’s six colleges. Students are backed by a 15 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the UCA Bears play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision as a member of the Southland Conference.
Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 11,177 (9,425 undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female
- 83 percent full-time
Cost of Attendance Information
- Tuition and Fees: $9,188 (in-state); $15,998 (out-of-state)
- Books: $1,200
- Room and Board: $7,198
- Other Expenses: $6,317
- Total Cost: $23,903 (in-state); $30,713 (out-of-state)
Financial Aid Information
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 98 percent
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 95 percent
- Loans: 52 percent
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $7,909
- Loans: $7,701
Academic Programs Offered
- Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Education; Psychology; and Visual and Performing Arts
Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 74 percent
- Transfer-Out Rate: 35 percent
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 23 percent
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 41 percent
NCAA Athletic Programs
- Men’s Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Tennis, Track and Field, Golf
- Women’s Sports: Track and Field, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Softball, Soccer
Overview of University of Central Arkansas Admissions
The University of Central Arkansas accepts over 90% of applicants and has a less selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.
Admissions Data
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, the University of Central Arkansas had an acceptance rate of 91%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 91 students gained admission, making UCA’s admissions procedure less competitive.
SAT Requirements and Scores
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 3% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of University of Central Arkansas’ students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students to UCA scored between 480 and 580 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 480 and 25% scored over 580. 50% of students scored between 490 and 590 on the math part, while 25% scored under 490, and 25% scored over 590. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1170 or higher will have a competitive advantage at the University of Central Arkansas.
ACT Requirements and Scores
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 95% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the University of Central Arkansas’ students fall within the top 42% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to UCA received a cumulative ACT score between 21 and 27, while 25% scored over 27, and 25% scored under 21.
GPA
In 2019, the mean high school GPA of the University of Central Arkansas’ incoming freshmen class was 3.48. This data suggests that Successful applicants to the University of Central Arkansas have primarily high B grades.
Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission
If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for University of Central Arkansas, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If University of Central Arkansas is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.
California State University Northridge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California State University Fresno, California State University Bakersfield, California State University East Bay, Kean University, California State University Los Angeles
Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission
If you’re a competitive candidate for University of Central Arkansas, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.
Georgia State University, State University of New York at Fredonia, Montclair State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of California, Merced, La Salle University, Liberty University
Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge
These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than University of Central Arkansas. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.
University of Alabama, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Pace University, Florida Gulf Coast University
Applying to University of Central Arkansas
Application Deadline: Rolling
Undergraduate Admissions Website:
Undergraduate Application Link(s):
https://uca.edu/admissions/apply/freshman/
Graduate Admissions Website:
https://uca.edu/graduateschool/
Graduate Application Link(s):
https://uca.edu/graduateschool/applying-to-graduate-school/
