UCO-Central vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting); Southwestern Christian University is in Bethany, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Oklahoma 18:1; Southwestern Christian University 13:1.

UCO-Central vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or SCU? 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 SCU ($18,660 vs. $20,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 4% lower than at Southwestern Christian University ($9,700 vs. $10,100).
• Southwestern Christian University is 148.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $13,082 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at SCU than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $2,196 more per year; $21,900.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Christian University than at University of Central Oklahoma (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Christian University students is 78.7% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($12,784 vs. $7,152).

UCO-Central vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• 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; SCU - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SCU (3.22).

UCO-Central vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCO-Central and SCU? 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 Southwestern Christian University's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $27,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $6,607 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($20,393 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($210 vs. $279).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 38%)

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.