University of Central Arkansas (UCA) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About University of Central Arkansas
In the heart of Arkansas, this campus pairs practical teaching with a creative streak. Faculty are known for approachable mentorship and hands-on work across the arts and sciences, education, health, business, and technology. You'll find modern labs and studios, a busy library, and a wellness and recreation center that actually gets used. Advising, tutoring, and counseling sit close to the action, so help never feels far away.
Student life runs lively and down to earth: a long list of clubs, stage productions, service projects, and plenty of intramurals. The culture leans welcoming and spirited, with Bears pride easy to spot and a purple and gray football field that's hard to forget. Career prep shows up in internships, clinicals, research, and alumni connections across the region. Conway offers the classic college town mix of music, coffee, trails, and opportunities with local schools, hospitals, and companies. Notable alum: Scottie Pippen.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) offers 90 degree programs across 23 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,390 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (13 programs, 471 graduates), Business (11 programs, 428 graduates), Education (16 programs, 383 graduates), Psychology (3 programs, 136 graduates) and Kinesiology (2 programs, 128 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (13 programs, 471 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 126 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology | 73 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0204 |
| Physical Therapy | 62 |
|
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Community Health Counseling | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
51.1504 |
| Occupational Therapy | 46 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2306 |
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.9999 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 19 |
|
Master's
|
51.1508 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1501 |
| Nursing Practice | 14 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Athletic Training | 13 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Medical Radiologic Technology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0907 |
| Dietetics | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3101 |
| Nuclear Medical Technology | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0905 |
Business (11 programs, 428 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 100 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
| Business Administration and Management | 75 |
|
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Finance, General | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.0801 |
| Marketing Management | 46 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Accounting | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
52.0301 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 33 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1399 |
| Management Information Systems | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1201 |
| Management Science | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0203 |
| Insurance Studies | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1701 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
Education (16 programs, 383 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Psychology (3 programs, 136 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 124 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Applied Psychology | 9 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2899 |
| School Psychology | 3 |
|
Post-Master's
|
42.2805 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 128 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 112 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 16 |
|
Master's
|
31.0504 |
Arts (6 programs, 127 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Music Performance | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Interior Design | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0408 |
| Theatre Arts | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 95 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 95 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
Social Sciences (7 programs, 92 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminology | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0401 |
| Political Science and Government | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Sociology | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 8 |
|
Master's
|
45.0702 |
| Anthropology | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Geography | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0701 |
Computer & IT (4 programs, 83 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.1003 |
| Computer Science | 10 |
|
Master's
|
11.0701 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0199 |
Human Sciences (2 programs, 83 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19.0101 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19.0501 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of Central Arkansas (UCA).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
How much does it cost to attend University of Central Arkansas (UCA)?
The annual tuition at University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is $10,118 for in-state students and $17,258 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $25,457 for in-state students and $32,597 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,662 (on) / $9,349 (off) and books and supplies $1,230.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does University of Central Arkansas offer?
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) offers 90 academic programs across 23 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (13 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (16 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for University of Central Arkansas?
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) has an 90.5% acceptance rate and a 29.1% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 6,589
- Students admitted: 5,961
- Students enrolled: 1,737
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of Central Arkansas?
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) provides financial aid to 23% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $8,280 and average loans of $6,552.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,285
- State/Local grants: $1,957
- Institutional grants: $5,681
- Federal loans: $5,250
The university supports 1,671 students with grants and 914 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for University of Central Arkansas graduates?
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) graduates earn a median salary of $36,670 after 6 years and $45,938 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $28,642 (25th percentile) to $65,378 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $73,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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