Finance and Financial Management Services at University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas graduates start significantly behind their peers—about $9,000 below both state and national medians in their first year—but manage strong earnings growth of 31% by year four. At $58,261, their mid-career earnings approach but don't quite match Arkansas's median of $53,536, and they remain well below top in-state options like UA Little Rock ($60,521) and the University of Arkansas ($56,387). The program ranks in just the 25th percentile statewide, meaning three-quarters of Arkansas finance programs deliver better starting outcomes.

The $20,000 debt load offers a silver lining—it's below both state and national averages, creating a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates can realistically pay this down in under a year's gross salary, even with the weak starting position. That low debt matters more here than at higher-performing programs, since financial stress compounds when you're earning in the bottom quarter of your field.

The fundamental challenge is clear: your child would graduate trailing most Arkansas finance majors by thousands annually, and the gap doesn't fully close even after four years. If they're set on UCA for other reasons (cost, location, fit), the reasonable debt makes this workable. But if University of Arkansas or UA Little Rock are accessible alternatives, they deliver materially better financial outcomes from day one.