University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) vs Western Carolina University (WCU)
Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma City and nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and Western Carolina University (WCU) stand as two distinct institutions 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. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover the nuances that set these two universities apart and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() University of Central Oklahoma |
![]() Western Carolina University |
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Overview |
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Location | Edmond, Oklahoma | Cullowhee, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Distant |
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 | 67.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.3% | 79.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | N/A | 1060 - 1230 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 12.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 83.0% | 43.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,708 | 12,308 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,080 | 9,775 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,662 | 1,729 |
Yield rate | 23.5% | 17.7% |
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) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$30,788
Out of state:
$41,675
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In state:
$19,349
Out of state:
$23,349
|
Average net price | $17,477 | $13,082 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,822
Out of state:
$17,709
|
In state:
$1,000
Out of state:
$5,000
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,990
Meal plan:
$4,550
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,403
Meal plan:
$5,029
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
76.0%
Average amount $6,531 |
73.0%
Average amount $5,772 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $6,109 |
56.0%
Average amount $4,850 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $11,559 |
9.0%
Average amount $9,396 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11,771
Men 37.8% Women 62.2% |
10,145
Men 43.6% Women 56.4% |
Graduate students |
1,479
Men 31.1% Women 68.9% |
1,732
Men 32.1% Women 67.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 5.1% | 17.7% |
International students | 3.9% | 1.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,860 | 3,815 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Oklahoma Texas Kansas California Missouri | North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida Tennessee |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 37.0% | 61.4% |
Dropout rate | 19.0% | 10.2% |
Transferred out | 37.9% | 27.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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