GSU vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL 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 GSU based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Governors State 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: Governors State University 11:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

GSU vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU 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 Governors State University than UCO-Central ($12,756 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 17.3% lower than at Governors State University ($9,700 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 36.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $3,186 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at UCO-Central than at Governors State University (about $7,700 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University as at University of Central Oklahoma (81% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 60.2% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($11,455 vs. $7,152).

GSU vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; UCO-Central - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCO-Central (3.5).
• UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

GSU vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU 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).

• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $3,143 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($17,250 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($178 vs. $210).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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.