Henderson State University vs. UCO-Central

Should I go to Henderson State University or University of Central Oklahoma? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Henderson State University or UCO-Central is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

OSU-Oklahoma City SWOSU OBU Oklahoma State University-Main Campus NSU OU University of Central Arkansas USAO SNU Langston University WSU MACU
Henderson State University vs. University of Central Oklahoma comparison
Henderson State University University of Central Oklahoma College 3 College 4
Henderson State University University of Central Oklahoma
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Henderson State University UCO-Central
Location Arkadelphia, AR Edmond, OK
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,136 12,148
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #798
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hsu.edu uco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Henderson State University UCO-Central
Tuition (In State) $6,163 $7,284
Tuition (Out of State) $8,160 $18,171
Room & Board $10,680 $8,886
Avg Net Price $16,929 $18,893
Avg Grant Aid $9,017 $6,309
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 82%

Admission

Henderson State University UCO-Central
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,814 4,945
Admitted 1,486 4,043
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 81.8%
Enrolled % 20.6% 46.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21 18/24
SAT Range 903/1073
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2026

Academics

Henderson State University UCO-Central
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Henderson State University UCO-Central
Graduation Rate 31% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $20,393
Median Loan Payment $201 $210

Diversity

Henderson State University UCO-Central
% Men 8% 5%
% Women 23% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 57%
% Black 24% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 9%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 9%
% International 1% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Henderson State University UCO-Central
% In-State 77% 90%
% Out-of-State 21% 5%

Campus

Henderson State University UCO-Central
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Oklahoma is larger than than Henderson State University based on total student enrollment (12,148 students vs. 2,136 students)

Henderson State University vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University or UCO-Central?

  • University of Central Oklahoma is 18.2% more expensive to attend than Henderson State University for in-state tuition ($7,284.00 vs. $6,163.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 122.7% higher at UCO-Central than Henderson State University ($18,171.00 vs. $8,160.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Henderson State University than UCO-Central ($16,929 vs. $18,893)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 20.2% lower than costs at Henderson State University ($8,886 vs. $10,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Henderson State University than University of Central Oklahoma (99% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Henderson State University students is 42.9% larger than aid received University of Central Oklahoma ($9,017 vs. $6,309)

Henderson State University vs. UCO-Central Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University or UCO-Central? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UCO-Central or Henderson State University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Oklahoma (1010) is 22 points higher than at Henderson State University (988)
  • Incoming UCO-Central students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Henderson State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Henderson State University (3.23)
  • Henderson State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than UCO-Central (81.8%)

Henderson State University vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Henderson State University or UCO-Central? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UCO-Central and Henderson State University.

  • The graduation rate at UCO-Central is higher than Henderson State University (36% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn on average $6,200 more per year than Henderson State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $38,400)
  • Henderson State University students graduate with a $893 lower median federal student loan debt than UCO-Central graduates. ($19,500 vs. $20,393)
  • Henderson State University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than UCO-Central graduates. ($201 vs. $210)
  • More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Henderson State University 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/