Head-to-head · 2026
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs University of Central Arkansas
Compare average net price ($14,027 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus; $16,511 at University of Central Arkansas), ROI score (7.55 vs 6.96), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,386 vs $45,938), and admissions selectivity (75.3% acceptance at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus; 89.5% at University of Central Arkansas) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.55 ✓ | 6.96 |
| Avg net price | $14,027 ✓ | $16,511 |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,108 ✓ | $66,044 |
| In-state tuition | $9,960 | $10,523 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,690 | $18,023 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,386 | $45,938 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 75.3% | 89.5% |
| Graduation rate | 48.8% | 53.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 66.2% | 73.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,750 ✓ | $20,346 |
| Enrollment | 2,708 | 7,762 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1047 | 1118 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,187 ✓ | $14,656 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,827 ✓ | $13,988 |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,790 ✓ | $16,203 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,654 ✓ | $20,318 |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,244 ✓ | $20,157 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | University of Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 22.4% | 2.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 12.4% | 5.8% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 10% | 1.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.5% | 5.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.1% | 5.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 7% | 2.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.4% | 5.1% |
| Psychology, General | 1.5% | 5.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $2,484 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,936 difference over four years ($56,108 vs $66,044).
University of Central Arkansas reports $3,552 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($45,938 vs $42,386). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.2% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and 73.3% at University of Central Arkansas. Median federal debt among completers is $18,750 vs $20,346, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs University of Central Arkansas, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is cheaper — average net price $14,027 per year vs $16,511 at University of Central Arkansas. The annual difference of $2,484 adds up to about $9,936 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Central Arkansas reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $45,938 vs $42,386 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $3,552. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is more selective at 75.3% acceptance vs 89.5% at University of Central Arkansas.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.