ATU vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than ATU based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 8,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

ATU vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or UCO-Central? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than UCO-Central ($12,626 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 6.2% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($9,700 vs. $10,338).
• University of Central Oklahoma is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $144 more per year; $8,818.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at UCO-Central than at Arkansas Tech University (about $5,036 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at University of Central Oklahoma (93% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 38.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($9,901 vs. $7,152).

ATU vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or UCO-Central? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCO-Central and ATU.

• Incoming UCO-Central students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; UCO-Central - Required.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at ATU (3.37).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

ATU vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and UCO-Central? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $2,643 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($17,750 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($183 vs. $210).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.