University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) vs Northern Kentucky University (NKU)
Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma City and Highland Heights, Kentucky, respectively, the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and Northern Kentucky University (NKU) stand as beacons of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing prospective students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their academic journey. Explore the comprehensive table below to discover which institution aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Northern Kentucky University |
![]() University of Central Oklahoma |
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Overview |
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Location | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Edmond, Oklahoma |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | 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 | 70.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 80.3% | 81.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 983 - 1210 | N/A |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 18 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 84.0% | 83.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,637 | 8,708 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,329 | 7,080 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,690 | 1,662 |
Yield rate | 31.7% | 23.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,010
Out of state:
$38,066
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In state:
$30,788
Out of state:
$41,675
|
Average net price | $7,443 | $17,477 |
Tuition |
In state:
$10,008
Out of state:
$20,064
|
In state:
$6,822
Out of state:
$17,709
|
Room & board | $11,454 |
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) |
99.0%
Average amount $10,343 |
76.0%
Average amount $6,531 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $4,988 |
34.0%
Average amount $6,109 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $10,090 |
5.0%
Average amount $11,559 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,814
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
11,771
Men 37.8% Women 62.2% |
Graduate students |
5,165
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
1,479
Men 31.1% Women 68.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 5.1% |
International students | 2.0% | 3.9% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,376 | 1,860 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Ohio Indiana Florida Maryland | 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 | 17:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.8% | 37.0% |
Dropout rate | 49.3% | 19.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 37.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional 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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