UCO-Central vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than UW-La Crosse based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 10,446 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting); University of Wisconsin La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Oklahoma 18:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

UCO-Central vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or UW-La Crosse? 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 Wisconsin La Crosse than UCO-Central ($14,712 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 10.3% lower than at University of Central Oklahoma ($8,702 vs. $9,700).
• University of Wisconsin La Crosse is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $1,252 more per year; $10,070.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at UCO-Central than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $187 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Oklahoma than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (81% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students is 59% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($7,152 vs. $4,499).

UCO-Central vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCO-Central or UW-La Crosse? 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 UW-La Crosse and UCO-Central.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at UCO-Central).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Oklahoma 18/24; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCO-Central - Required; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UCO-Central (3.5).
• UCO-Central has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.9% at UCO-Central vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

UCO-Central vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCO-Central and UW-La Crosse? 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 Wisconsin La Crosse's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than UCO-Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $2,857 lower median loan debt than UW-La Crosse graduates ($20,393 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-La Crosse graduates ($210 vs. $240).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCO-Central students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.