University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) vs Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU)
When it comes to higher education in Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) stand out as two prominent choices. UCO, located in Edmond, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to SWOSU's 78%, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. UCO also offers a wider range of academic programs, with popular majors including Business, Education, and Health Professions, while SWOSU excels in fields like Agriculture, Business, and Education. Both universities have diverse student bodies, with UCO having a slightly larger population. However, SWOSU boasts a higher graduation rate (58%) than UCO's 49%, indicating a stronger focus on student success. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table below, highlighting key differences between these two esteemed institutions.
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![]() Southwestern Oklahoma State University |
![]() University of Central Oklahoma |
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Overview |
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Location | Weatherford, Oklahoma | Edmond, Oklahoma |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 65.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 94.1% | 81.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
|
|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | 17 - 23 | 18 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | 85.0% | 83.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,076 | 8,708 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,954 | 7,080 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 690 | 1,662 |
Yield rate | 35.3% | 23.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,147
Out of state:
$29,257
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In state:
$30,788
Out of state:
$41,675
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Average net price | $12,697 | $17,477 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,368
Out of state:
$13,478
|
In state:
$6,822
Out of state:
$17,709
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$2,900
Meal plan:
$3,480
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Room/dormitory:
$3,990
Meal plan:
$4,550
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $9,384 |
76.0%
Average amount $6,531 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
79.0%
Average amount $5,107 |
34.0%
Average amount $6,109 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $8,770 |
5.0%
Average amount $11,559 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,749
Men 39.6% Women 60.4% |
11,771
Men 37.8% Women 62.2% |
Graduate students |
899
Men 30.4% Women 69.6% |
1,479
Men 31.1% Women 68.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 10.1% | 5.1% |
International students | 1.9% | 3.9% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,370 | 1,860 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Oklahoma Texas Arkansas Kansas Arizona | Oklahoma Texas Kansas California Missouri |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 38.7% | 37.0% |
Dropout rate | 37.9% | 19.0% |
Transferred out | 19.3% | 37.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
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