OU vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Ottawa University Ottawa in Ottawa, KS 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 OU based on total student enrollment (12,554 students vs. 999 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ottawa University Ottawa is located in Ottawa, KS (Distant Town setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ottawa University Ottawa 12:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

OU vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU 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 Central Oklahoma than OU ($18,660 vs. $28,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 28.9% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($9,700 vs. $13,646).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is 306.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $27,062 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.1% higher at OU than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $16,176 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than at University of Central Oklahoma (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 231.3% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($23,692 vs. $7,152).

OU vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OU 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 OU.

• Incoming UCO-Central students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 750/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 16/22; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; UCO-Central - Required.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at OU (3.12).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at OU vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

OU vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU 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).

• Ottawa University Ottawa's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than UCO-Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $1,482 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($20,393 vs. $21,875).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($210 vs. $226).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 46%)

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.