Central vs. SCU

Should I go to University of Central Missouri or Southwestern Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central or SCU 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. 

Southeast Missouri State University EIU University of Missouri-Kansas City Northwest Pitt State Western Illinois University WSU University of Missouri-Columbia Truman State Missouri State University-Springfield OSU-Oklahoma City UNT
University of Central Missouri vs. Southwestern Christian University comparison
University of Central Missouri Southwestern Christian University College 3 College 4
University of Central Missouri
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Central SCU
Location Warrensburg, MO Bethany, OK
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 11,637 425
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #708
Religious Affiliation - Pentecostal Holiness Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucmo.edu swcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central SCU
Tuition (In State) $8,040 $17,040
Tuition (Out of State) $16,080 $17,040
Room & Board $9,699 $9,400
Avg Net Price $15,117 $19,713
Avg Grant Aid $6,517 $11,041
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

 Central SCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,993 -
Admitted 3,562 -
Acceptance Rate 71.3%
Enrolled % 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.22
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Central SCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Human Services (34%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)

Outcomes

 Central SCU
Graduation Rate 50% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $27,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,441 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

 Central SCU
% Men 46% 56%
% Women 54% 44%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 77% 44%
% Black 11% 25%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 10%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

 Central SCU
% In-State 88% 72%
% Out-of-State 11% 19%

Campus

 Central SCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Missouri is larger than than SCU based on total student enrollment (11,637 students vs. 425 students)

Central vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central or SCU?

  • Southwestern Christian University is 111.9% more expensive to attend than Central for in-state tuition ($17,040.00 vs. $8,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6% higher at SCU than University of Central Missouri ($17,040.00 vs. $16,080.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Missouri than SCU ($15,117 vs. $19,713)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Christian University are 3.2% lower than costs at University of Central Missouri ($9,400 vs. $9,699)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Missouri than Southwestern Christian University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Christian University students is 69.4% larger than aid received University of Central Missouri ($11,041 vs. $6,517)

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Missouri (1010) is 32 points higher than at SCU (978)
  • Incoming Central students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at SCU (21)
  • Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at SCU (3.22)

Central vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central or SCU? 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 SCU and Central.

  • The graduation rate at Central is higher than Southwestern Christian University (50% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn on average $14,100 more per year than SCU graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $27,400)
  • University of Central Missouri students graduate with a $4,559 lower median federal student loan debt than SCU graduates. ($22,441 vs. $27,000)
  • Central graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than SCU graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 38%)

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