NAU vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Arizona University is larger than UCO-Central based on total student enrollment (28,467 students vs. 12,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Arizona 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: Northern Arizona University 19:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

NAU vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU 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 Northern Arizona University than UCO-Central ($16,371 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 32.8% lower than at Northern Arizona University ($9,700 vs. $14,432).
• Northern Arizona University is 47.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $4,191 more per year; $13,009.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.6% higher at NAU than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $10,177 more per year; $29,881.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at University of Central Oklahoma (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Arizona University students is 83% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($13,085 vs. $7,152).

NAU vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NAU 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 NAU.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; UCO-Central - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NAU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UCO-Central (3.5).
• NAU has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at NAU vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

NAU vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NAU 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).

• Northern Arizona University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $700 more per year than NAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Arizona University graduates have a $393 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, NAU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($206 vs. $210).
• More NAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCO-Central students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 54%)

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.