WSSU vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC with University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Oklahoma is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

WSSU vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU 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 Winston Salem State University than UCO-Central ($12,989 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 15.5% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($9,700 vs. $11,484).
• University of Central Oklahoma is 43.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $2,692 more per year; $8,818.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at UCO-Central than at Winston Salem State University (about $2,922 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at University of Central Oklahoma (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 40.6% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($10,057 vs. $7,152).

WSSU vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU 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 WSSU.

• Incoming UCO-Central students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; UCO-Central - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

WSSU vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU 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).

• Winston Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $5,270 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($20,393 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($210 vs. $265).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 33%)

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.