UCO-Central vs. Nelson University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than Nelson University based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 1,794 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Oklahoma 18:1; Nelson University 15:1.

UCO-Central vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or Nelson University? 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 Nelson University ($18,660 vs. $22,359).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nelson University are 1.1% lower than at University of Central Oklahoma ($9,598 vs. $9,700).
• Nelson University is 184.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $16,246 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Nelson University than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $5,360 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nelson University than at University of Central Oklahoma (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nelson University students is 68.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($12,075 vs. $7,152).

UCO-Central vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNelson University 890/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCO-Central - Required; Nelson University - Required.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Nelson University (3.19).
• Nelson University has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.9% at UCO-Central vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

UCO-Central vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Nelson 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 $7,700 more per year than Nelson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $5,857 lower median loan debt than Nelson University graduates ($20,393 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nelson University graduates ($210 vs. $271).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nelson University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 50%)

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.