UCO-Central vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Oklahoma 18:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

UCO-Central vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than UCO-Central ($8,070 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 11.3% lower than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($9,700 vs. $10,940).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $182 more per year; $9,000.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at USAO than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $486 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at University of Central Oklahoma (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 82.7% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($13,068 vs. $7,152).

UCO-Central vs. USAO Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming USAO students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UCO-Central).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Oklahoma 18/24; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCO-Central - Required; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at USAO (3.43).
• UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.9% at UCO-Central vs. 35.7% at USAO.

UCO-Central vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCO-Central and USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.