Northeastern Illinois University vs. UCO-Central

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or University of Central Oklahoma? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois 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.
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Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Central Oklahoma comparison
Northeastern Illinois University University of Central Oklahoma College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University University of Central Oklahoma
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Overview

 Northeastern Illinois University UCO-Central
Location Chicago, IL Edmond, OK
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,756 12,250
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #766
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu uco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northeastern Illinois University UCO-Central
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $7,026
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $17,913
Room & Board $10,742 $8,628
Avg Net Price $14,262 $18,055
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $6,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 78%

Admission

 Northeastern Illinois University UCO-Central
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 4,115
Admitted 2,886 2,878
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 69.9%
Enrolled % 17.9% 53.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 18/24
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Northeastern Illinois University UCO-Central
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

 Northeastern Illinois University UCO-Central
Graduation Rate 23% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $20,393
Median Loan Payment $149 $210

Diversity

 Northeastern Illinois University UCO-Central
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 33% 57%
% Black 10% 9%
% Hispanic 37% 9%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 9%
% International 4% 7%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 Northeastern Illinois University UCO-Central
% In-State 97% 90%
% Out-of-State 2% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Oklahoma is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (12,250 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or UCO-Central?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 43.6% more expensive to attend than UCO-Central for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $7,026.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.7% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Central Oklahoma ($20,182.00 vs. $17,913.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than UCO-Central ($14,262 vs. $18,055)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 24.5% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($8,628 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Central Oklahoma (85% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 135.8% larger than aid received University of Central Oklahoma ($15,143 vs. $6,422)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. UCO-Central Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Oklahoma (1010) is 140 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming UCO-Central students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (69.9%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at UCO-Central is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (36% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn on average $4,600 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $5,893 lower median federal student loan debt than UCO-Central graduates. ($14,500 vs. $20,393)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $61 less per month on federal student loans than UCO-Central graduates. ($149 vs. $210)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCO-Central students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/