University of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK 73034
About University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma is a public research university in Edmond, Oklahoma, with about 10,170 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 78.12% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $48,351 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- University of Central Oklahoma charges 60% above the national public median tuition ($8,818).
- Versus the Oklahoma median, sticker tuition is 11% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 36.76%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $48,351.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at University of Central Oklahoma is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 560% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
University of Central Oklahoma awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 127 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Oklahoma | $8,818 | $18,309 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Oklahoma (state median) | $7,921 | $10,956 | 42 |
| Rural (locale median) | $14,160 | $18,700 | 1,649 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is University of Central Oklahoma really?
Key findings
- University of Central Oklahoma charges 60% above the national public median tuition ($8,818).
- Versus the Oklahoma median, sticker tuition is 11% above.
University of Central Oklahoma tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $8,818
Finding University of Central Oklahoma charges 60% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $8,818. That is 60% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Oklahoma median ($7,921), sticker tuition is 11% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 26% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at University of Central Oklahoma versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at University of Central Oklahoma versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at University of Central Oklahoma is $18,309.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $18,309 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $7,354 above the Oklahoma median net price. Versus rural campuses, net price runs $391 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At University of Central Oklahoma, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
University of Central Oklahoma: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for University of Central Oklahoma—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$8,818
Out-of-state tuition
$19,704
Avg. net price
$18,309
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $15,275 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,828 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,776 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $23,249 |
| $110,001+ | $24,183 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $35,272. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What University of Central Oklahoma is known for
Top program completions
- General Studies209
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse177
- Business Administration and Management, General156
- Psychology, General139
- Forensic Science and Technology135
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 47% of admitted students enrolled.
- Average SAT: 1090
- Midpoint ACT: 21
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is University of Central Oklahoma a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
University of Central Oklahoma is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for University of Central Oklahoma.
Campus
Location
Edmond, OK
City / state
- ZIP
- 73034
- NCES locale
- Rural fringe
Compared with Rural campuses nationally, net price is 2% below the median for Rural campuses ($18,700 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Southwest
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Size
Enrollment
10,170
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 12,441
- Graduate
- 1,777
- Full-time share
- 79%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$21,000
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 36.49%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for University of Central Oklahoma.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Central Oklahoma was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Central Oklahoma in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,437 | $13,551 | $11,232 |
| 2014 | $5,806 | $14,286 | $11,216 |
| 2015 | $6,096 | $14,972 | $12,141 |
| 2016 | $6,699 | $16,460 | $12,794 |
| 2017 | $7,100 | $17,447 | $14,594 |
| 2018 | $7,489 | $18,376 | $16,572 |
| 2019 | $7,753 | $18,640 | $16,562 |
| 2020 | $7,817 | $18,704 | $17,339 |
| 2021 | $8,030 | $18,917 | $17,116 |
| 2022 | $8,234 | $19,121 | $17,868 |
| 2023 | $8,522 | $19,409 | $18,990 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Average 1090 (middle 50% not reported)
Midpoint 21 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
Estimated from admission selectivity and test scores. Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
Estimated range · median 3.20
Estimated GPA band from selectivity and test scores — not an official requirement.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Central Oklahoma reported total enrollment of about 10,170 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (50.9%), Hispanic or Latino (15.5%), and Two or More Races (12.2%). About 36.49% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 37.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
78.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Central Oklahoma in 2024 is 10,170 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 12,441 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,777 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
65.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
16.63% 100% Completion Time
36.76% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 16.63% of students graduating from University of Central Oklahoma completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- General Studies: 33% male / 67% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 14% male / 86% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 48% male / 52% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
University of Central Oklahoma graduates earn a median of $48,351 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of University of Central Oklahoma.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $48,351. Median federal loan debt: $21,000. Average net price used in cost models: $18,309.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway University of Central Oklahoma graduates report median earnings of $48,351 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for University of Central Oklahoma.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (127 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at University of Central Oklahoma.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for University of Central Oklahoma graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for University of Central Oklahoma—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$55.2M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Oklahoma median 3.0× the median ($18.4M)
- Southwest median 2.4× the median ($23.2M)
- U.S. median 2.1× the median ($26.4M)
- Oklahoma median 0.58× the median ($9,743)
- Southwest median 0.56× the median ($10,113)
- U.S. median 0.47× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Oklahoma median 36.5 pp above median (63.5%)
- Southwest median 40.3 pp above median (59.7%)
- U.S. median 42.0 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $8,207
- Oklahoma median 1.3× the median ($6,142)
- Southwest median 1.2× the median ($7,078)
- U.S. median 1.1× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,973
- Oklahoma median 1.5× the median ($7,250)
- Southwest median 1.9× the median ($5,699)
- U.S. median 1.5× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
University of Central Oklahoma at a glance
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma is a public institution in Edmond, OK, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- General StudiesRegistered Nursing/Registered NurseBusiness Administration and Management, General
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian50.9%Hispanic or Latino15.5%Two or More Races12.2%
Schools near University of Central Oklahoma
Other campuses in Edmond, OK when available, plus nearby institutions in Oklahoma.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Oklahoma, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Central Oklahoma located?
University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, OK.
What is University of Central Oklahoma's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Central Oklahoma is 78.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 4,945 applicants and 4,043 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is University of Central Oklahoma's tuition?
University of Central Oklahoma tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $8,818 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $18,309 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does University of Central Oklahoma cost?
Reported tuition is $8,818 and average net price is $18,309 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,700 annually.
What explains University of Central Oklahoma's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($18,309), completion (36.8% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($48,351). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at University of Central Oklahoma?
University of Central Oklahoma reports undergraduate enrollment of about 12,441 students, White (50.9%), Hispanic or Latino (15.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Central Oklahoma?
About 37.2% of students at University of Central Oklahoma are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Central Oklahoma?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Central Oklahoma reports midpoint SAT about 1090 and midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of University of Central Oklahoma earn?
Median earnings are $43,074 six years after entry and $48,351 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Central Oklahoma?
The 150%-time completion rate is 36.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Central Oklahoma students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,000.
Is University of Central Oklahoma public or private?
University of Central Oklahoma is a public institution located in Edmond, OK.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Oklahoma college profile
- Oklahoma college costs
- Oklahoma colleges by ROI
- University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus vs Oklahoma State University-Main Campus vs University of Central Oklahoma
- Edmond, Oklahoma city profile
- Southwest regional profile
- Rural college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Oklahoma
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.