WKU vs. UCO-Central

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than UCO-Central based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 12,554 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); University of Central Oklahoma is in Edmond, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Kentucky 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: Western Kentucky University 19:1; University of Central Oklahoma 18:1.

WKU vs. UCO-Central Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU 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 Western Kentucky University than UCO-Central ($12,548 vs. $18,660).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Oklahoma are 22.9% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($9,700 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 32.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCO-Central (about $2,834 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,818.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at WKU than at University of Central Oklahoma (about $7,296 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $19,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Central Oklahoma (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 52.7% larger than aid received by University of Central Oklahoma students ($10,921 vs. $7,152).

WKU vs. UCO-Central Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU 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 WKU.

• Incoming UCO-Central students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21; University of Central Oklahoma 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; UCO-Central - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCO-Central students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UCO-Central (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 42.9% at UCO-Central.

WKU vs. UCO-Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Central Oklahoma's (36%).
• Graduates from University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Oklahoma graduates have a $3,857 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($20,393 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UCO-Central graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($210 vs. $250).
• More UCO-Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

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.