UCO-Central vs. NWOSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than NWOSU based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 2,079 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting); Northwestern Oklahoma State University is in Alva, OK (Remote Town setting).
• University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Oklahoma 18:1; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 15:1.

UCO-Central vs. NWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or NWOSU? 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 Northwestern Oklahoma State University than UCO-Central ($10,492 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 41% lower than at University of Central Oklahoma ($5,720 vs. $9,700).
• University of Central Oklahoma is 47.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NWOSU (about $2,848 more per year; $8,818.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.9% higher at UCO-Central than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (about $8,040 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $11,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern Oklahoma State University than at University of Central Oklahoma (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern Oklahoma State University students is 26% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($9,011 vs. $7,152).

UCO-Central vs. NWOSU Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UCO-Central students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at NWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthwestern Oklahoma State University 803/1036.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Oklahoma 18/24; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCO-Central - Required; NWOSU - Required.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at NWOSU (3.42).
• UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than NWOSU (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.9% at UCO-Central vs. 38.7% at NWOSU.

UCO-Central vs. NWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCO-Central and NWOSU? 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).

• Northwestern Oklahoma State University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than NWOSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $6,078 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($14,315 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, NWOSU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($148 vs. $210).
• More NWOSU 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.