University of Southern Mississippi vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than UCO-Central based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 12,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Southern Mississippi vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or UCO-Central? 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 Southern Mississippi than UCO-Central ($15,095 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 18.6% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($9,700 vs. $11,920).
• University of Southern Mississippi is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $1,180 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.2% higher at UCO-Central than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $7,706 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $11,998.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at University of Central Oklahoma (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 52.4% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($10,900 vs. $7,152).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Mississippi or UCO-Central? 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 UCO-Central and University of Southern Mississippi.

• Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UCO-Central).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; UCO-Central - Required.
• Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at UCO-Central (3.5).
• University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25% at University of Southern Mississippi vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and UCO-Central? 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 Southern Mississippi's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $4,607 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($20,393 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($210 vs. $258).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Mississippi 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.