UCO-Central vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK with Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 6,751 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCO-Central vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or NSU? 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 Northeastern State University than UCO-Central ($12,410 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 12.8% lower than at Northeastern State University ($9,700 vs. $11,120).
• University of Central Oklahoma is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,008 more per year; $8,818.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at UCO-Central than at Northeastern State University (about $2,414 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern State University than at University of Central Oklahoma (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern State University students is 24.3% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($8,893 vs. $7,152).

UCO-Central vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCO-Central or NSU? 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 NSU and UCO-Central.

• Incoming UCO-Central students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNortheastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Oklahoma 18/24; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCO-Central - Required; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at NSU (3.49).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.9% at UCO-Central vs. 39% at NSU.

UCO-Central vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCO-Central and NSU? 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 Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $2,393 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($18,000 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($186 vs. $210).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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.