Henderson State vs University of Central Arkansas (UCA)

Henderson State University and University of Central Arkansas, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Arkansas, offer distinct educational experiences. Henderson, nestled in the scenic town of Arkadelphia, boasts a close-knit community with a lower acceptance rate, making it a more selective choice. UCA, located in the vibrant city of Conway, attracts a larger and more diverse student body, reflected in its higher acceptance rate. While Henderson excels in liberal arts and education programs, UCA shines in business, nursing, and health professions. Both universities offer competitive graduation rates, ensuring students receive a quality education that prepares them for successful careers. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Henderson State University logo

Henderson State University

University of Central Arkansas logo

University of Central Arkansas

Overview

Location Arkadelphia, Arkansas 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 56.0% 71.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 75.0% 92.4%
Application fees $25
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $45
SAT range 978 - 1151 980 - 1160
ACT range 18 - 24 19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 6.0% 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 90.0% 94.0%
Total number of applicants 2,377 6,057
Total number of admissions given out 1,783 5,595
Admitted students who chose to enroll 418 1,854
Yield rate 23.4% 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: $26,265

Out of state: $28,473
In state: $25,219

Out of state: $32,089
Average net price $16,233 $14,042
Tuition
In state: $5,880

Out of state: $8,088
In state: $6,870

Out of state: $13,740
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,700

Meal plan: $3,600
Room/dormitory: $4,326

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

95.0%
Average amount $9,262
92.0%
Average amount $7,693
Students receiving federal student loan 71.0%
Average amount $5,043
51.0%
Average amount $5,106
Students taking out private loans 3.0%
Average amount $11,456
5.0%
Average amount $10,426

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,228
Men 47.4% Women 52.6%
8,244
Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students 691
Men 22.3% Women 77.7%
1,861
Men 26.6% Women 73.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 19.2% 7.9%
International students 1.5% 3.8%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant City: Small
Dormitory capacity 2,061 3,675
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Arkansas Texas Louisiana Missouri Alabama Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Tennessee Alabama

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 14:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 37.2% 49.4%
Dropout rate 36.8% 19.1%
Transferred out 20.6% 29.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $56,726
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,313
  • Year 2: $34,420
  • Year 3: $35,691
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,299
  • Year 2: $25,580
  • Year 3: $26,653
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,587
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,827
  • Year 2: $32,711
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,237
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,967
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,338
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,225
  • Year 2: $30,409
  • Year 3: N/A
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,834
  • Year 2: $28,236
  • Year 3: N/A
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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