University of Central Arkansas offers reasonable affordability for a public institution, with a published cost of attendance of $24,265 annually. This total includes $10,118 in in-state tuition, $8,662 for room and board, and $1,230 for books and supplies.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $24,265 |
| Tuition and Fees | $17,258 |
| Room and Board | $8,662 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,230 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$7,490 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $16,775 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $14,387 |
| $30–48k | $14,946 |
| $48–75k | $17,233 |
| $75–110k | $19,775 |
| $110k+ | $20,028 |
University of Central Arkansas offers reasonable affordability for a public institution, with a published cost of attendance of $24,265 annually. This total includes $10,118 in in-state tuition, $8,662 for room and board, and $1,230 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less at $16,775 after financial aid, representing average savings of $7,490 through institutional assistance. The net price of $16,775 sits above the peer median of $14,093, making University of Central Arkansas somewhat more expensive than similar institutions.
This difference of $2,682 reflects relatively modest additional costs compared to peer schools. The university's affordability index ranks at the 72.0th percentile with above average performance, indicating controlled costs relative to outcomes. Financial aid reduces the sticker price by approximately 31%, demonstrating meaningful institutional support for students across income levels.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
University of Central Arkansas graduates carry median debt of $20,346, ranking at the 68th percentile nationally and indicating above-average borrowing levels. Debt ranges from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $23,500 at the 75th percentile, showing significant variation in borrowing patterns.
The median debt exceeds the peer median of $21,105 by $759, placing University of Central Arkansas graduates at a slight disadvantage compared to similar institutions. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 indicates that typical graduates owe about 44% of their first-year earnings in student loans, representing a manageable but substantial obligation. Parent PLUS loans add median debt of $13,135 with monthly payments of $173, though this represents borrowing by only a subset of families.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
University of Central Arkansas delivers solid return on educational investment through reasonable costs and steady earnings growth. Graduates earn around expectations relative to their backgrounds, with earnings beyond expectations of negative $982, placing performance at the 52nd percentile nationally.
While not exceptional, this represents typical performance for institutions serving diverse student populations. Median earnings of $45,938 provide reasonable return given the $16,775 average net price, though earnings rank at only the 29th percentile nationally. The combination of controlled net costs, manageable debt levels, and steady career earnings growth creates favorable conditions for most graduates.
The university's return index ranks around the national average at the 42nd percentile, reflecting balanced outcomes relative to costs. Students should expect solid but not exceptional return on investment, with particular value for those benefiting from lower-income pricing tiers.
University of Central Arkansas demonstrates strong commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds through its financial aid distribution. With 37.3% Pell-eligible students, the university enrolls a substantial share of lower-income students who benefit from federal need-based aid.
The $7,490 average financial aid savings reduces the published cost by nearly one-third, indicating robust institutional support. The progressive net price structure shows aid effectiveness, with families earning under $48,000 paying below the institutional average while higher-income families pay closer to sticker price. This distribution suggests that need-based aid successfully targets resources toward students with the greatest financial need.
The university's above-average affordability ranking reflects this combination of reasonable base costs and effective aid targeting, supporting its mission as an accessible public institution serving diverse populations.
The combination of above-peer debt levels with modest earnings creates financial pressure for some graduates, though most maintain reasonable repayment capacity given the debt-to-earnings ratio below 0.50.
