Fort Hays State University vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS with University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fort Hays State University is larger than UCO-Central based on total student enrollment (12,878 students vs. 12,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Fort Hays 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: Fort Hays State University 15:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

Fort Hays State University vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fort Hays State University 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 Fort Hays State University than UCO-Central ($13,186 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Hays State University are 6% lower than at University of Central Oklahoma ($9,120 vs. $9,700).
• University of Central Oklahoma is 48.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fort Hays State University (about $2,895 more per year; $8,818.00 vs. $5,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at UCO-Central than at Fort Hays State University (about $1,963 more per year; $19,704.00 vs. $17,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Hays State University than at University of Central Oklahoma (92% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Fort Hays State University students ($7,152 vs. $6,751).

Fort Hays State University vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fort Hays State University 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 Fort Hays State University.

• Incoming Fort Hays State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UCO-Central (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 970/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Hays State University 18/24; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fort Hays State University - Test optional; UCO-Central - Required.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Fort Hays State University (3.45).
• Fort Hays State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.8% at Fort Hays State University vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

Fort Hays State University vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fort Hays State University 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).

• Fort Hays State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Fort Hays State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $325 lower median loan debt than Fort Hays State University graduates ($20,393 vs. $20,718).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fort Hays State University graduates ($210 vs. $214).
• More Fort Hays State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCO-Central students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.