Conway, AR · Private University
Is University of Central Arkansas Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$45,938
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,118
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,258
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$69,032
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.66x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
53.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,346
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,775
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Central Arkansas graduates earn $938 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Central Arkansas ranked by graduate earnings
33 graduates
132 graduates
68 graduates
44 graduates
38 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Central Arkansas
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Central Arkansas, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $63,168) and the lowest (Natural Resources Conservation and Research: $27,118) is $36,050/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $63,168 | 3.7x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,853 | 3.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,965 | 3.5x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $59,051 | 3.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,261 | 3.4x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $51,582 | 3.0x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $51,195 | 3.0x |
| Insurance(1yr data) | $45,696 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,687 | 2.6x |
| Music | $44,549 | 2.6x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $44,318 | 2.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,555 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,218 | 2.5x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $43,106 | 2.5x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $41,919 | 2.4x |
| Biology, General | $41,909 | 2.4x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $41,827 | 2.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,606 | 2.4x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $41,409 | 2.4x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $40,993 | 2.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,742 | 2.3x |
| Sociology | $39,509 | 2.3x |
| Journalism | $39,247 | 2.3x |
| Psychology, General | $38,715 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $38,602 | 2.2x |
| Criminology(1yr data) | $38,453 | 2.2x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $38,105 | 2.2x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $36,946 | 2.1x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $36,590 | 2.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $35,800 | 2.1x |
| History | $34,747 | 2.0x |
| Political Science and Government(1yr data) | $31,348 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,476 | 1.8x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $29,861 | 1.7x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $27,366 | 1.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchLowest(1yr data) | $27,118 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Central Arkansas stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $45,938 10 years after starting, $938 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.