UTC-Chattanooga vs University of Central Arkansas (UCA)

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC) and the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) are two public universities located in the southeastern United States. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but there are some key differences between the two schools. UTC has a slightly higher acceptance rate than UCA, and its student body is more diverse. UCA, on the other hand, has a higher graduation rate and offers more online programs. To help you make an informed decision about which school is the best fit for you, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that highlights the key differences between UTC and UCA. Explore the table to find out more about the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates of these two universities.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga logo

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

University of Central Arkansas logo

University of Central Arkansas

Overview

Location Chattanooga, Tennessee Conway, Arkansas
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 73.0% 71.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 85.7% 92.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $30

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $45
SAT range 1030 - 1230 980 - 1160
ACT range 20 - 26 19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 5.0% 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 89.0% 94.0%
Total number of applicants 7,607 6,057
Total number of admissions given out 6,518 5,595
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,074 1,854
Yield rate 31.8% 33.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,798

Out of state: $40,916
In state: $25,219

Out of state: $32,089
Average net price $13,552 $14,042
Tuition
In state: $7,992

Out of state: $24,110
In state: $6,870

Out of state: $13,740
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,348

Meal plan: $4,114
Room/dormitory: $4,326

Meal plan: $3,570
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

96.0%
Average amount $9,566
92.0%
Average amount $7,693
Students receiving federal student loan 44.0%
Average amount $4,907
51.0%
Average amount $5,106
Students taking out private loans 4.0%
Average amount $10,148
5.0%
Average amount $10,426

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 10,016
Men 41.7% Women 58.3%
8,244
Men 39.0% Women 61.0%
Graduate students 1,441
Men 40.0% Women 60.0%
1,861
Men 26.6% Women 73.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 11.5% 7.9%
International students 1.2% 3.8%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Small
Dormitory capacity 3,488 3,675
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Tennessee Georgia Alabama Virgin Islands California Arkansas Texas Oklahoma Tennessee Alabama

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Education
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 53.7% 49.4%
Dropout rate 44.3% 19.1%
Transferred out N/A 29.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $146,119
  • Year 2: $145,898
  • Year 3: $147,996
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,736
  • Year 2: $76,041
  • Year 3: $80,605
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,245
  • Year 2: $72,883
  • Year 3: $78,427
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,841
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $74,942
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,600
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $73,667
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,404
  • Year 2: $62,012
  • Year 3: $71,084
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,427
  • Year 2: $67,324
  • Year 3: $70,983
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,615
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $69,556
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,269
  • Year 2: $71,255
  • Year 3: $69,322
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,241
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $61,753
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,284
  • Year 2: $92,358
  • Year 3: $96,070
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,491
  • Year 2: $70,736
  • Year 3: $76,640
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,696
  • Year 2: $67,548
  • Year 3: $65,753
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,174
  • Year 2: $58,842
  • Year 3: $59,396
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,787
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $57,030
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,827
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $55,240
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,080
  • Year 2: $45,305
  • Year 3: $52,677
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,462
  • Year 2: $47,729
  • Year 3: $52,542
Library Science, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,140
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $49,838
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,755
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $49,837

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