University of Central Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas is one of the best and most affordable options for higher education in the South. With 156 degrees and certificates, students have the opportunity to explore their interests and pursue their passions.
UCA creates an academic community where students can learn and grow both inside and outside of the classroom. There are study abroad programs through various academic disciplines, service learning initiatives through the Residential Colleges, and small classes taught in a seminar format through the UCA Honors College. Students get the full college experience with UCA’s vibrant campus filled with exceptional academic programs, recognized student organizations, and engaging residential colleges.
Get to know University of Central Arkansas
College Highlights
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Undergraduate research can begin as early as freshman year. Students can choose from a wide range of exciting, engaging, and life-changing research activities that are happening every day at UCA. Academic advisors can help students plan out their research interests and identify faculty members or professors with whom they want to collaborate. The UCA faculty is committed to supporting students who genuinely want to participate in research and are energetic, reliable, and capable.
DIVERSITY
The UCA Office of Diversity and Community is committed to creating a safe environment of inclusiveness, understanding, and acceptance of all individuals and ideas, including race, ethnicity, religion, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, gender, marital status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, physical ability, political affiliation, and intellectual perspective. In order to create and maintain a vibrant campus community and academic life, UCA cultivates a campus community that is open, welcoming, respectful, and culturally aware.
STUDY ABROAD
The study abroad program offers students the chance to spend a semester at one of UCA’s partner universities in another country. Students are challenged to develop a transnational, culturally diverse perspective of leadership and advocacy that will help them transform their communities once they return home. There are various study abroad options to meet the diverse interests of UCA students, including faculty-led summer programs, language immersion programs, semester exchange programs, and direct enrollment.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Undergraduate research can begin as early as freshman year. Students can choose from a wide range of exciting, engaging, and life-changing research activities that are happening every day at UCA. Academic advisors can help students plan out their research interests and identify faculty members or professors with whom they want to collaborate. The UCA faculty is committed to supporting students who genuinely want to participate in research and are energetic, reliable, and capable.
DIVERSITY
The UCA Office of Diversity and Community is committed to creating a safe environment of inclusiveness, understanding, and acceptance of all individuals and ideas, including race, ethnicity, religion, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, gender, marital status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, physical ability, political affiliation, and intellectual perspective. In order to create and maintain a vibrant campus community and academic life, UCA cultivates a campus community that is open, welcoming, respectful, and culturally aware.
STUDY ABROAD
The study abroad program offers students the chance to spend a semester at one of UCA’s partner universities in another country. Students are challenged to develop a transnational, culturally diverse perspective of leadership and advocacy that will help them transform their communities once they return home. There are various study abroad options to meet the diverse interests of UCA students, including faculty-led summer programs, language immersion programs, semester exchange programs, and direct enrollment.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 5%
Hispanic/Latino: 5%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 16%
White, non-Hispanic: 66%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 0%
FIRST-YEAR SEMINARS AND EXPERIENCES
UCA’s first-year seminar program gives students the chance to connect with fellow freshmen in an intimate educational integration of growing knowledge and new skills. Freshmen can choose from an array of FYS courses, including Communications, Critical Inquiry, Diversity, and Responsible Living Outcomes.
The first-year seminar is further supported by peer mentors who help first-year students during their transition into college. As UCA students themselves, these peer mentors offer their guidance through all kinds of academic and social challenges. They readily facilitate class activities with faculty members, help new students choose campus organizations, and offer help with navigating the university’s resources.
TUTORING SERVICES
A strong resource to improve student persistence, the UCA Tutoring Services Center offers individual tutoring services for UCA core courses, Praxis Exam Tutorials and tutoring, and supplemental instruction. Tutoring services are available in person as well as online through Blackboard Collaborate, Skype, Facebook, or email.
SERVICE-LEARNING
UCA’s service-learning integrates meaningful community service with just as meaningful academic training. Students can choose from four types of service-learning: direct service-learning, indirect service-learning, research-based service-learning, and advocacy service-learning. These full-scale projects allow students to apply their coursework to hands-on activities and strengthen their skills through their service to others.
RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES
UCA’s Residential College program hosts five living & learning communities as well as one commuter learning community. Those who choose to participate in a Residential College take one class in their residence building, making it more convenient and engaging to study with fellow residents. Each Residential College has a unique theme and character that is further emphasized in its corresponding course. Learn more about the Residential Colleges and their themes here.
REYNOLDS PERFORMANCE HALL
UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall is a 1,200-seat, state-of-of-the-art theater that opened in 2000 with a sold-out concert by the late Ray Charles. As a 1,200-seat, state-of-the-art theater, Reynolds hosts over 250 events that features numerous performances and public appearances, making it a perfect entertainment spot for UCA students and the Central Arkansas community at large.
BAUM GALLERY
The Baum Gallery, an educational art museum for the UCA community, presents selected national and international touring exhibitions, sponsors juried student shows, and original exhibits distinctly suited to an academic environment. Many exhibitions and events invite audience interaction, encouraging striking dialogue about visual art, ranging from such topics as the creators, studio process, history, criticism, curation, and cultural contexts. Graduating seniors in the UCA Department of Art have the chance to showcase their artwork through the Senior Exhibition Information, which is hosted every semester.
SCHOOL LOCATION
UCA is located in Conway, a city with strong community spirit and over 60,000 residents. Only 25 miles from the capital city, Little Rock, Conway delivers a delicate balance between the advantages of a big city and the heart of a small town. And due to the influence of its three college campuses, the area is booming with modern workforce opportunity and economic prosperity.
ATHLETICS
UCA has 15 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics programs
Men’s Sports: Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Track & Field, Cross Country, and Golf
Women’s Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field, Cross Country, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, and Softball
CAPSTONE COURSES
The Capstone Experience at UCA offers opportunities for students to engage in their educational experience by integrating communication and critical inquiry into their learning. Students take the knowledge and skills they have developed in both upper- and lower-division courses to demonstrate their mastery of their field.
INTERNSHIPS
Offered year-round, internships come in a variety of formats: full-time, part-time, paid, and unpaid. The Career Services Center makes it easy to get professional exposure with helpful resources, career counselors, and advisors all throughout the internship search process.
CAREER SERVICES CENTER
The Career Services Center offers educational assistance to all students, maximizing the educational experience and beyond with career planning, presentations, workshops, and network connections.
BOLT (Bears OnLine Training) is an online career service resource that helps students develop the skills needed to be successful in their careers, designed with quizzes and modules to ensure professional competency.
Students can find business attire in the center’s WOW closet. Short for “World of Work,” the closet offers business clothes of all sizes for students to rent once per academic year. It’s a convenient, affordable way for students to prepare for on-campus interviews, career fairs, and class presentations.
Admission
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 470 | 75th Percentile: 555
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 580
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 21 | 75th Percentile: 27
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 21 | 75th Percentile: 28
ACT English
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 25
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $6,523
Tuition (out-of-state): $13,046
Fees: $2,001
Room: $3,598
Board: $2,920
Contact University of Central Arkansas
Contact Admissions
Campus Location
201 Donaghey Avenue
Conway, Arkansas 72035
(501) 450-5000