App State vs University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
Appalachian State University and University of Central Arkansas, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Appalachian State, nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a higher acceptance rate, attracting a diverse student body from various backgrounds. Its strengths lie in popular majors like Business, Health Professions, and Education. In contrast, University of Central Arkansas, located in the vibrant city of Conway, maintains a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. It excels in fields such as Business, Education, and Nursing. While Appalachian State boasts a higher graduation rate, both universities provide ample opportunities for personal and academic growth. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Appalachian State University |
![]() University of Central Arkansas |
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Overview |
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Location | Boone, North Carolina | 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 | 86.0% | 71.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.7% | 92.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1130 - 1300 | 980 - 1160 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 94.0% |
Total number of applicants | 21,120 | 6,057 |
Total number of admissions given out | 17,886 | 5,595 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,099 | 1,854 |
Yield rate | 22.9% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,220
Out of state:
$37,827
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In state:
$25,219
Out of state:
$32,089
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Average net price | $12,735 | $14,042 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,242
Out of state:
$19,849
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In state:
$6,870
Out of state:
$13,740
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,595
Meal plan:
$4,086
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Room/dormitory:
$4,326
Meal plan:
$3,570
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
54.0%
Average amount $7,652 |
92.0%
Average amount $7,693 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,054 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,106 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $12,285 |
5.0%
Average amount $10,426 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,555
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
8,244
Men 39.0% Women 61.0% |
Graduate students |
2,086
Men 29.6% Women 70.4% |
1,861
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 10.5% | 7.9% |
International students | 0.5% | 3.8% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,971 | 3,675 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina South Carolina Virginia Georgia Florida | Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Tennessee Alabama |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 72.7% | 49.4% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 19.1% |
Transferred out | 18.3% | 29.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
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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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