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University of Central Arkansas

#491 in US ranking Conway, AR
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$27,784
Tuition & fees
$10,940
Avg. aid
$9,540
Receiving aid
97%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
89%
SAT range
910–1170
ACT range
19–25

Outcomes

Graduation rate
54%
Median salary
$42,153
1 yr after graduation

What are the graduation rates for students at University of Central Arkansas?

UCA's reported four-year graduation rate is 42%, and its six-year rate is 53%. These measures follow defined groups of first-time, full-time degree-seeking students; they do not describe every transfer, part-time, or returning student.

The four-year rate rose from 28% in the 2019 reporting series to 42% in the latest figures. The reported first-year retention rate is 73%, meaning roughly three in four students in the measured cohort returned the following fall. Retention and graduation measure different stages of enrollment, and neither explains why an individual student stays or leaves.

Students comparing universities should look for the same cohort definition and measurement period. They should also ask their intended program about course sequencing: a campus-wide graduation rate cannot show whether a particular major's required classes, clinical placements, or internships are available on a student's preferred timeline.

What is the earning potential for graduates at University of Central Arkansas?

Program-level College Scorecard figures report median earnings one year after completion for graduates in covered programs who received federal financial aid. They are early-career observations for particular groups - not salary offers, estimates for every graduate, or measures of long-term earnings.

In the figures dated October 2026, the reported one-year median is $56,174 for registered nursing, $51,827 for general computer and information sciences, and $45,080 for accounting. Other reported examples include $35,720 for teacher education focused on specific grade levels and methods, and $24,926 for general psychology. Differences can reflect occupations, further study, geography, and the graduates included in each program's data; they should not be interpreted as the financial return caused by a major alone.

Students should weigh these figures alongside program costs, licensure requirements, job interests, and whether graduates typically pursue additional education. A one-year earnings measure may be particularly incomplete for fields where graduate study is common.

University of Central Arkansas Graduation Rate

Avg. graduation
54%
4-year graduation
42%
6-year graduation
53%

University of Central Arkansas Retention and Employment

First-year retention, full-time students
73%
First-year retention, part-time students
33%
Employed 1 year after graduation
96%

University of Central Arkansas Median Alumni Salary Over Time

1 year after graduation
$42,153
4 years after graduation
$52,203
5 years after graduation
$52,929
7 years after graduation
$57,779
10 years after starting college
$49,756

Alumni Salary for University of Central Arkansas Degrees

Degrees

Avg. salary

Accounting and Related Services

$45,080

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

$49,361

Biology, General

$23,535

Business Administration, Management and Operations

$36,173

Business/Commerce, General

$41,417

Chemistry

$29,438

Computer and Information Sciences, General

$51,827

Criminology

$27,665

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

$16,581

English Language and Literature, General

$28,531

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

$29,826

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General

$25,502

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

$23,000

Finance and Financial Management Services

$36,389

Fine and Studio Arts

$28,717

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

$27,609

Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

$27,087

History

$20,875

Journalism

$30,505

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

$24,986

Management Information Systems and Services

$48,462

Marketing

$31,457

Mathematics

$42,490

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions

$25,293

Music

$35,220

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

$32,164

Political Science and Government

$25,699

Psychology, General

$24,926

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

$31,149

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

$56,174

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

$20,766

Sociology

$25,262

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

$26,820

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

$35,720

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

$39,792

University of Central Arkansas Graduations Per Degree

BACHELOR’S Degree

Women Men Total

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

125158283

Health Professions and Related Programs

21149260

Psychology

10116117

Education

8130111

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology

5845103

Visual and Performing Arts

6438102

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

543185

Social Sciences

472673

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

125870

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

292150

MASTER’S Degree

Women Men Total

Education

16526191

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

435699

Health Professions and Related Programs

78987

Library Science

38038

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

29332

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology

131225

Visual and Performing Arts

51116

English Language and Literature/Letters

11112

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

01010

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

358

DOCTOR’S Degree

Women Men Total

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

9413

Psychology

729

Health Professions and Related Programs

224

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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