If you’re interested in attending the University of Central Arkansas, you’ve probably heard that they accept nearly everyone. We at Collegelearners have gathered all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not UCA is the right school for you.
The acceptance rate at University of Central Arkansas is 91.1%. For every 100 applicants, 91 are admitted. This means the school is a nearly open admissions school. They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in. Collegelearners affords you unrestricted access to a litany of information on UCA tuition, UCA nursing program reviews, UCA nursing honors, and so much more. Be sure to surf through our catalog for ample information on related topics
UCA BSN Admission Requirements
Available to students who do not possess an RN license is the prelicensure BSN track. Prerequisites must be met before enrollment. For more information about the track descriptions, please visit our Curriculum and Course Description page.
I. Minimum Admission Qualifications
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above. Prerequisite GPA (45 hours) of 2.75 or above. Prerequisite Science GPA of 2.5 or above.
- A grade of “C” or above for all nursing prerequisite credit hours.
- BIOL 2410 Human Anatomy & Physiology must be successfully completed (C or better grade) by the end of the Fall term of application.
Prerequisites — Prelicensure BSN Track
45 credit hours
- BIOL 1410 Human Anatomy & Physiology
- BIOL 2410 Human Anatomy & Physiology II*
- BIOL 2411 Microbiology
- CHEM 1402 General Chemistry for Health Sciences**
- MATH 1390 College Algebra
- MATH 2311 Elementary Statistics
- FACS 2341 Lifespan Development
- NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
- PSYC 1300 General Psychology
- WRTG 1310 Intro. To College Writing
- WRTG 1320 Academic Writing
- 6 Credit Hours UCA CORE Diversity in World Cultures (Social Science only)***, or Fine Arts/Humanities or Diversity/Creative Works or American History/Government
- 2 Elective Credit Hours
*Note: Students must take BIOL 1410 and 2410 at the same institution. Students may substitute BIOL 2406 and 2407 or 3406 and 3407 for BIOL 1410 and 2410, but both courses must be taken at the same institution as well.
**Note: CHEM 1402 is recommended for nursing majors, but CHEM 1450 meets nursing requirement.
***Note: Diversity in World Cultures Social Science Courses: ANTH 1302, ECON 2310, GEOG 1300, GEOG 1320, HIST 1310, HIST 1320, HIST 1375 FYS, LING 1310. Choose one only.
For transfer guidelines and equivalency see Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) and/or the UCA’s Registrar Office.
- Applicants not born in the United States or in a country where English is the official language must document their English proficiency. An official score of 83 or higher on the iBT TOEFL exam is required. The exam must have been taken within the last two (2) calendar years. Only iBT TOEFL scores received directly from ETS or the UCA Testing Center will be accepted as valid.
- Presentation of a complete application within published deadlines.
- Applicants who have been admitted to and currently attend, or previously attended another nursing school:
- a) submit a letter from the school that includes a statement regarding the student’s standing, and
b) provide an official transcript from the previous school. - An applicant who has been dismissed from a previous nursing program or is not in good standing, will not be considered for admission to the prelicensure BSN track.
- Admission to the prelicensure BSN track will not be considered for anyone who has earned a “D”, “F”, “WF”, or “NC”, in any two nursing courses in a previously attended nursing school.
- Applicants who hold a current RN license are eligible for consideration for admission into the RN to BSN degree track.
University of Central Arkansas Nursing School Review
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a state-run university that was established in 1907. It started out with a curriculum focused around teaching, but this changed around 1967 when other courses were taken into consideration.
It has a diversified student body that is represented by national and international students. Known as the-“City of Colleges”,- the school lives up to its name with the two colleges that can be found on the same premises. It boasts a beautiful campus that is dotted with all the necessary amenities for teaching and learning.
The Department of Nursing was founded in 1967 and offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Both courses are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Generic/Traditional BSN Track
The traditional BSN track is designed for students that do not have any license in nursing. They can choose to do any of the following depending on their preferences and qualifications:
a) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 4-Year Curriculum Plan: Students that have the necessary pre-requisites and do not need to take additional subjects can enroll in this program. They should have a chemistry subject from high school as part of their academic history.
b) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 5-Year Curriculum Plan: Students that for whatever reason find themselves unable to take the full credits in this program each semester can choose the 5-year plan. It is usually the best option for students that wish to be involved in other extracurricular activities and not just academics.
c) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 4-Year ROTC Curriculum Plan: The ROTC student that wants to enter the world of nursing can enter this program. It is specially aimed at this group of students.
d) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Post-Degree Curriculum Plan: Students that have a baccalaureate degree in any field other than nursing from an Arkansas-supported college or university are welcome to apply to this course. It is also open to those that have an Associate of Science or an Associate of Arts. They must complete and pass all the pre-requisite courses prior to enter the nursing program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) LPN-to-BSN Curriculum Plan
This course is for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) that have an unencumbered license and want to become registered nurses (RNs). At the end of the course they are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree provided all the courses in the nursing major and prerequisite courses have been completed with a passing grade.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) RN-to-BSN Curriculum Plan
This is an online track is aimed at registered nurses that have an unencumbered license and want to get their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. They must show proof of academic qualification through an accredited associate degree or hospital diploma programs. The program is also open to students that have an Associate of Science or an Associate of Arts from an Arkansas-supported college or university. Those that fall into this category do not have to take the UCA’s General Education requirements.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) RN-to-BSN/MSN Curriculum Plan
Registered nurses that want some degree of flexibility to complete their BSN and gain credits towards a MSN will find this course interesting. Only registered nurses that have an unencumbered license and graduated with an associate degree or hospital diploma programs can apply to the program. It is also open to those that have an Associate of Science or an Associate of Arts from an Arkansas-supported college or university or a baccalaureate in a different field that is not related to nursing.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is offered online to registered nurses that have a baccalaureate in nursing. Those that qualify can consider any of the following options:
a) Adult Nurse Practitioner (NP): Registered nurses that want to be specialty health care providers will benefit from the content in this course. They will be exposed to advance nursing practices that equip them with the necessary knowledge to provide health care solutions to adults.
b) Family Nurse Practitioner (NP): Qualified graduates that have an unencumbered license and want to advance their studies to treat the family will be trained to do just that in this course. After successful completion, they will work as advanced nurses that diagnose and manage episodic and chronic illness. They will also be able to promote health and disease prevention.
c) The Nurse Educator with a Clinical Specialty (NECS): This is not the traditional nursing program. Students are trained to be educators in various settings that can range from higher education for students to patient education.
d) The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL): A clinical nurse leader is trained to work in various settings and with any type of patient. The program is managed by the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC). After successful completion graduates are able to bring high levels of knowledge and competence to any area in the health care sector.
UCA Nursing Acceptance Rate
II. Ranking criteria is based on GPA, course deficits, and UCA student status:
- Applications are ranked according to GPA and deficits (prerequisite courses which are not complete by the end of the Fall semester).
- Students with higher GPAs will receive more points than those with lower GPAs. Grades received for courses taken concurrently in high school will be counted in the GPA calculations for admission into the BSN major.
- Course deficits (those prerequisites not completed by the end of the fall semester of application) can significantly impact the chances for admission into the nursing major. Please note: BIOL 2410 must be successfully completed in or before the fall term of application.
- Preference is given to UCA students. To be considered a UCA student, students must have 30 hours completed at UCA or taken concurrently in high school or a combination of both. Transfer students are also considered and ranked in the admission process.
- Application and Review Process:
- Applications are accepted once a year for Summer II admission.
- Applications are reviewed after final Fall grades are reported.
- Applicants are notified of their admission status by email of their conditional admission status before spring term begins.
- Decisions regarding admission are NOT given out over the phone.
- If conditionally admitted, the remainder of the non nursing classes must be successfully completed in the Spring term to be eligible to continue in the BSN program in the Summer.
- Applicants who feel they were treated differently from other candidates in admissions decisions are to contact the Director of the UCA School of Nursing (501-450-3119) for information about the appeals process.
- All appeals begin with the School of Nursing and must be filed within 10 business days of admission notification.
Note: Per state law, persons convicted of a crime may not be eligible to take the examination required for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). For more information and a list of crimes, refer to http://www.arsbn.org and go to the Nurse Practice Act, chapter 3, section 17-87-312. See the director of the School of Nursing for more information.
UCA Approval and Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Central Arkansas, School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Programs are fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Popularity of Nursing at UCA
During the 2020-2021 academic year, University of Central Arkansas handed out 138 bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Due to this, the school was ranked #412 in popularity out of all colleges and universities that offer this degree. This is an increase of 31% over the previous year when 105 degrees were handed out.
In 2021, 52 students received their master’s degree in nursing from UCA. This makes it the #188 most popular school for nursing master’s degree candidates in the country.
In addition, 2 students received their doctoral degrees in nursing in 2021, making the school the #347 most popular school in the United States for this category of students.
University of Central Arkansas 2021 Rankings
University of Central Arkansas is Unranked in Best Nursing Schools: Master’s and Unranked in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Nursing School Program Rankings
- Unranked in Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- Unranked in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
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Other rankings at this school: Colleges, Online Programs
University of Central Arkansas Nursing School Data
- University of Central Arkansas Admissions
- University of Central Arkansas Academics
- University of Central Arkansas Student Body
- University of Central Arkansas Cost
Nursing School details based on 2019 data.
School refused to fill out the U.S. News statistical survey.
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Top 10 Nursing Schools in Arkansas
1. Henderson State University
Annual In-State Tuition: $7,480 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $9,352 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 79.3%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Originally a private school, Henderson State University has since become public and earned a reputation as Arkansas’s public liberal arts university. While liberal arts might not interest nursing students, each nursing degree is offered through the Ellis College of Arts and Sciences. Options for study include an on-campus BSN, an online RN-BSN, and an online master’s of science in nursing (MSN). Henderson State’s nursing school has been growing over the past decade with the number of graduates jumping from 9 in 2015 to 31 in 2021. Historically, graduates obtain 100% employment within three months of graduation.
2. University of Central Arkansas
Annual In-State Tuition: $7,873.88 (based on credit hours) | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $13,433.72 (based on credit hours) | NCLEX Pass Rate: 81%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Based in Conway, the University of Central Arkansas blends a large-school atmosphere with a small-school education. The impressive 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio is uncharacteristic of a school with over 10,000 students — and these small class sizes could be one reason nurses do so well on the NCLEX. UCA’s nursing program is one of the largest in the state, and while transfer students can enter the two-year BSN program, preference is given to students who complete their first two years of schooling at UCA. An impressive 90% of UCA nursing graduates are employed in Arkansas after graduation.
3. University of Arkansas
Annual In-State Tuition: $7,666 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $25,420 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 83.1%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
The University of Arkansas is the premier school in the University of Arkansas system. Considered one of the top public schools in the nation, U of A is a go-to destination for students interested in many different careers — including nursing. The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing has three main options: a traditional BSN, an online RN to BSN, and an LPN to BSN. This is by far the largest nursing program in the state as 208 students graduated from the BSN program in 2022. U of A is a large school, but the sheer size of the nursing program could increase your chances of being accepted.
4. University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
Annual In-State Tuition: $7,984 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition:$16,954 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 78.8%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Over half of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s students come from Sebastian and Crawford counties, but UAFS is working to change that. The in-state tuition is extended to residents of Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, so UAFS could be an affordable option for some regional students. The potential low tuition cost also attracts nursing students as the BSN program has nearly doubled in size over the past five years. UAFS’s NCELX pass rates aren’t the best in Arkansas, but tuition discounts could make this degree worth it to some border-state students. UAFS also offers two certificate programs: emergency medical technology and Spanish for helping professionals.
5. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Annual In-State Tuition: $7,632 (based on credit hours) | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $15,168 (based on credit hours) | NCLEX Pass Rate: 87.2%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
The tuition at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is based per credit hour which can make a difference for some students. It also is higher than most other nursing programs on this list but it is one of the best medical sciences institutions in the region. The nursing school currently has 590 students spread across multiple programs, the largest of which is the BSN program. Nurses that currently have a BSN can enroll in the BSN-DNP, BSN-PhD, or the MSN as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or a nursing administrator. If you can stomach the cost (or reduce it with financial aid), then you’ll earn a BSN from Arkansas’s only academic health center. UAMS College of Nursing’s BSN Program is currently ranked 67th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the 2022-2023 academic year.
6. Harding University
Annual Tuition: $22,230 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 94%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Located in the small town of Searcy (about an hour northeast of Little Rock), Harding University offers a private education and small-school atmosphere. Harding is affiliated with the churches of Christ, though many of the 4,800 students are non-religious or don’t follow the same religion. Founded in 1975, Harding University’s Carr College of Nursing has had decades to develop into the nursing powerhouse it is today. Graduates routinely excel on the NCLEX, and all BSN graduates from 2016-2018 passed the NCLEX. From 2019-2022 the NCLEX pass rate was over 94%.
7. John Brown University
Annual Tuition: $29,720 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.4%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
John Brown University is a small school with just over 2,100 students. As a private school, students don’t receive access to in-state tuition; however, the average student ends up paying much less than the annual tuition thanks to financial aid. 99% of incoming students received gift aid from JBU which doesn’t have to be paid like federal or state financial aid. Despite the steep coast, John Brown is ranked #1 in best value among private universities in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, and Texas according to Money Magazine 2022 College Rankings. Interestingly, the nursing program is the most popular degree option at John Brown with 101 students currently enrolled to earn a BSN. The BSN is a relatively new program, and graduates only started taking the NCLEX in 2018. The good news is that pass rates have never dipped below 90%, a good sign for the future of this program.
8. Arkansas State University
Annual In-State Tuition: $9,310 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $16,630 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 93%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
As the second-largest university in Arkansas, Arkansas State University is a common destination for many Arkansas residents. Located in Jonesboro, the campus is spread over 1,376 acres, leaving plenty of room for the 14,000 students to roam and enjoy. Students interested in nursing have no shortage of options at A State. Along with a traditional BSN, online RN-BSN, and accelerated BSN, students can complete an AASN, LPN-BSN, MSN in anesthesia or as a family nurse practitioner, or a DNP. A State’s nursing school is already one of the largest in Arkansas, so nearly any student can find a nursing option that suits their needs.
9. Arkansas Tech University
Annual In-State Tuition: $5,820 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $11,640 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.4%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Arkansas Tech University has locations across the Arkansas River Valley, though the main campus is in Russellville. The Department of Nursing is also based in Russellville, so students earning a traditional BSN will study at the home campus. Arkansas Tech’s nursing program has improved over time, and NCLEX pass rates have reflected the improved quality of education. Aside from the traditional BSN, nursing students can complete an online RN-BSN, LPN-BSN, or MSN. It’s also worth noting that, students from states bordering Arkansas are eligible to waive the out-of-state tuition and earn in-state tuition, so ATU could be an affordable option for many students.
10. Southern Arkansas University
Annual In-State Tuition: $7,020 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $12,450 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Southern Arkansas University prides itself on its quiet town of Magnolia near the Louisiana border. With a large campus and just 3,160 students, SAU provides a unique college atmosphere. The quiet and tranquility should be perfect for students completing their BSN. This 120-credit hour program has excellent outcomes, and every recent grad passed the NCLEX to become an RN. Current RNs can take advantage of SAU’s low tuition and complete their BSN through the online RN-BSN.
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