UCO-Central vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than UCO-Central based on total student enrollment (22,450 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 Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Oklahoma 18:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

UCO-Central vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCO-Central or UWM? 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 Milwaukee than UCO-Central ($16,263 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 17% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($9,700 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $1,580 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at UWM than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $2,694 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Central Oklahoma (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students is 12.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($7,152 vs. $6,347).

UCO-Central vs. UWM Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UCO-Central students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UWM (21).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Oklahoma 18/24; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCO-Central - Required; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.9% at UCO-Central vs. 23.8% at UWM.

UCO-Central vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCO-Central and UWM? 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 Milwaukee's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than UCO-Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $4,565 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($20,393 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($210 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCO-Central students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.