Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than UCO-Central ($13,442 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 18.4% lower than at University of Central Oklahoma ($7,911 vs. $9,700).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 13% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $1,142 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.6% higher at UCO-Central than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $4,014 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Central Oklahoma (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 61.5% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($11,552 vs. $7,152).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• Incoming UCO-Central students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; UCO-Central - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46).
• UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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).

• University of Central Oklahoma's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $3,373 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($17,020 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($175 vs. $210).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 44%)

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.