University of Central Oklahoma
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Oklahoma- Graduation Rate
- 37% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,351 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $18,309 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Oklahoma.
Every $1 spent returns $15.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,031,620.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 37% — 35% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Central Oklahoma Matters
University of Central Oklahoma is a public university in Edmond, OK and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 10,170
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Education
Why students choose University of Central Oklahoma
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,309 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,351 ten years after enrolling — 19% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 39% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.56 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 10,170 students and a 78% acceptance rate, the University of Central Oklahoma is a good fit for those who appreciate a supportive environment with a diverse range of programs. Students here dive into fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Humanities, and Education. This variety allows for exploration and growth in areas that matter to today's job market.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers present a hopeful picture. Graduates earn an average of $48,351 within ten years of completing their degrees, which suggests a solid return on investment considering the affordable education here. Many students, especially those coming from the bottom 20% of income earners, find opportunities to elevate their financial status after leaving university.
In terms of cost, the net price after aid stands at about $18,309, which is manageable for most. The median debt for graduates is $21,000, a figure that many can handle with proper planning. Students who thrive here often possess a strong sense of community and a commitment to their education, making UCO an appealing choice for those ready to engage and grow.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Oklahoma
- #5 Best Education Colleges in Oklahoma
- #6 Best Computer Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #6 Best Data Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #7 Best Bachelor's Programs in Oklahoma
- #7 Best Master's Programs in Oklahoma
- #7 Best Business Colleges in Oklahoma
- #9 Best Colleges in Oklahoma
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Central Oklahoma is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Central Oklahoma? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Edmond, Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 1090
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,207
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 4,115
- Admitted
- 2,878
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Central Oklahoma? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Central Oklahoma is $19,704, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,309. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,275 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,818
- Out-of-State
- $19,704
- Avg Net Price
- $18,309
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 36%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,275
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,828
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,776
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,183
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Central Oklahoma — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Central Oklahoma Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $48,351, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,074
- 8 Years
- $44,951
- 10 Years
- $48,351
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (226)
- 12%
- 100% (226)
- 12%
- 100% (226)
- 12%
- 100% (226)
- 12%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Central Oklahoma Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Central Oklahoma delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,309/year ($73,236 total). Graduates earn $48,351 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,104,856 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,031,620 (15.1× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 37% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $73,236
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,104,856
- Net Return
- $1,031,620
- ROI Multiple
- 15.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,309
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Central Oklahoma Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Central Oklahoma is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.71%, well above the typical college. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.71%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $105,295
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,871,706
- Investment Income
- $259,270
Top Programs
The fields University of Central Oklahoma awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $66,093 early-career
- Health Professions 15% $72,708 early-career
- Criminal Justice 11% $40,390 early-career
- Education 8% $46,778 early-career
- Humanities 8% $32,432 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $46,778 early-career
- Psychology 5% $37,851 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $34,755 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Central Oklahoma's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Central Oklahoma? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Edmond, Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Central Oklahoma? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Central Oklahoma is $19,704, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,309. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,275 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of Central Oklahoma Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $48,351, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Central Oklahoma Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Central Oklahoma is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.71%, well above the typical college. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Central Oklahoma? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Central Oklahoma. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Central Oklahoma.
- Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer41% grad $50,698 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South AlabamaMobile, AL · Close peer53% grad $49,379 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · Close peer46% grad $51,793 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO · Close peer41% grad $45,823 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Central Oklahoma? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Central Oklahoma. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note