The most recent yearly college affordability estimates for Arkansas schools showed changes of less than $500 in average net price at four of the state's largest public universities. But the estimate increased by more than $1,500 for another -- the University of Central Arkansas at Conway.
Data at CollegeNavigator.gov show a school's average net price for the 2014-15 academic year, the most recent with information available. The calculation factors in both billed and indirect expenses. The average net price then subtracts average grant awards. It is only calculated for first-time, full-time students receiving governmental or institutional aid, and, at public schools, only for those paying in-state tuition.
UCA's average net price in 2014-15 of $12,798 increased by 15.8 percent compared to the school's $11,051 average net price the previous year.
Diane Newton, the university's vice president for finance and administration, said in a statement that the school adjusted upward estimates for personal expenses, including transportation. This led to the increase, according to Newton.
"This adjustment brought UCA closer in line with the estimated costs of our peer institutions within the state," Newton said. The school's 2014-15 average net price was below the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville's $14,693 but above Arkansas State University at Jonesboro's $11,896.
Among other large public schools with more than 1,000 freshmen, only the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith showed a decrease in its average net price. UAFS' average net price in 2014-15 of $7,447 reflected a 3 percent decrease compared to its average net price of $7,679 a year earlier.
UA, ASU and Arkansas Tech University at Russellville all had average net price increases of less than 4 percent.
The average net price increased by more than $1,000 at three of the four largest independent colleges and universities in Arkansas.
Hendrix College in Conway, t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶t̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶l̶a̶r̶g̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶p̶r̶i̶v̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶s̶c̶h̶o̶o̶l̶ ̶b̶y̶ ̶e̶n̶r̶o̶l̶l̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ the fourth-largest private college or university in the state,* saw the biggest increase among this group of schools, with its 2014-15 average net price of $24,955 rising by 8.1 percent compared to its 2013-14 average net price of $23,078.
The average net price increased by just over $1,000 in 2014-15 compared to 2013-14 at both John Brown University in Siloam Springs and Harding University in Searcy. The average net price for Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia increased by $723 in 2014-15.
Metro on 07/17/2016
*CORRECTION: By enrollment, Hendrix College is the fourth-largest private college or university in the state. This story incorrectly described the size of Hendrix.