University of Central Arkansas
66%
Acceptance rate
3%
Intl. students
$18,023
Tuition/yr
11,000
Enrollment
About University of Central Arkansas
Public university in Conway, Arkansas. Strong business, education, and STEM programs.
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a public comprehensive university in Conway, Arkansas, founded in 1907. With approximately 8,300 students, it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and operates under the mission of academic vitality, integrity, and diversity. Conway is located 30 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas's capital city.
UCA offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs across colleges covering business, education, health and behavioral sciences, fine arts, liberal arts, and natural sciences. Its College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, a distinction earned by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide, and the university is particularly recognized for programs in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Education. The sciences and computer science programs are also regarded strengths.
The university's campus spans Conway, a city of roughly 57,000 residents with a relatively low cost of living compared to major US metros. UCA's 89% acceptance rate makes it accessible to a wide range of applicants, while its size keeps class sizes manageable and student support services accessible.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
AR
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates qualify for 12-month OPT. STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- UCA offers the International Student Merit Scholarship worth up to $32,000 over four years ($4,000 per semester) for eligible first-time international undergraduate students, meaningfully reducing the cost of an already moderately priced US degree with out-of-state tuition around $18,000 per year.
- Programs in health sciences (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy) and AACSB-accredited business are strong fits for Nepali students targeting professional careers, and STEM-designated programs qualify graduates for up to three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States after graduation.
- Conway's low cost of living and UCA's total cost of attendance (roughly $35,000/year before aid) place it among the more affordable US public universities for international students, making it a practical option compared to flagship state universities at similar or higher tuition.
- UCA hosts over 1,200 international students and maintains a Center for Global Learning and Engagement that provides visa support, cultural adjustment resources, and academic advising, infrastructure that eases the transition for Nepali students arriving from a very different educational system.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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