UCO-Central vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than UCO-Central based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 12,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCO-Central vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or OU? 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus than UCO-Central ($18,574 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 28.8% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($9,700 vs. $13,630).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $979 more per year; $9,797.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.9% higher at OU than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $7,673 more per year; $27,377.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Central Oklahoma (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 58.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($11,356 vs. $7,152).

UCO-Central vs. OU Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming OU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at UCO-Central).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Oklahoma 18/24; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCO-Central - Required; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UCO-Central (3.5).
• UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.9% at UCO-Central vs. 29.3% at OU.

UCO-Central vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCO-Central and OU? 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than UCO-Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $393 lower median loan debt than UCO-Central graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,393).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCO-Central graduates ($206 vs. $210).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCO-Central students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.