SC vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS 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 SC based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

SC vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC 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 University of Central Oklahoma than SC ($18,660 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 1.2% lower than at University of Central Oklahoma ($9,586 vs. $9,700).
• Sterling College is 282.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $24,882 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71% higher at SC than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $13,996 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at University of Central Oklahoma (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 231% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($23,673 vs. $7,152).

SC vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC 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 SC.

• Incoming SC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UCO-Central (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; UCO-Central - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SC (3.46).
• UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

SC vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC 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).

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $4,270 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($20,393 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($210 vs. $255).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCO-Central students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.