East Central University excels in affordability management, ranking at the 91.6th percentile nationally. The institution combines accessible 65.5% admission rates with exceptional debt control, producing graduates with median debt of $17,671—well below the peer median of $21,105—while serving diverse student populations effectively.
Moderate earnings relative to educational investment
Earning the excellent tier designation and reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels
With well above average results, driven by substantial enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Typical outcomes for economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExcellent affordability with accessible admission
East Central University delivers strong value through exceptional affordability rather than premium earnings outcomes. Graduates earn $408 above expectations relative to similar students, ranking in the 57.8th percentile for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $44,962 ten years after enrollment, with outcomes ranging from $27,580 at the 25th percentile to $65,215 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across fields. Low-income graduates earn $38,900, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking accessible public education in Oklahoma with strong financial aid and controlled debt levels. Well-suited for first-generation students (46.4%) and Pell-eligible students (39.8%) who want diverse program options at an affordable medium-sized institution.
East Central University's excellent affordability ratings make it ideal for cost-conscious families prioritizing manageable student debt.
East Central University maintains accessible admission standards with a 65.5% acceptance rate, meaning approximately 2 in 3 applicants receive admission offers. This places the university within the Moderately Selective category and reflects its mission to serve diverse student populations.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that East Central University is somewhat more selective than typical similar institutions, creating a 19 percentage point difference. This selectivity level means qualified applicants have favorable admission odds while maintaining reasonable academic standards.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
East Central University demonstrates exceptional affordability through comprehensive financial aid that dramatically reduces published costs. The university's cost of attendance totals $17,559 annually, consisting of $8,032 in-state tuition, $7,752 for room and board, and $1,590 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays just $9,287 after financial aid, representing $8,272 in average financial aid savings that cut costs by 47.1%. This net price of $9,287 sits $4,806 below the peer median of $14,093, positioning East Central University among the most affordable options for similar institutions.
The university's affordability index ranks at the 91.6th percentile nationally, earning excellent tier performance that reflects both low published costs and generous financial aid. Out-of-state tuition increases to $17,542, though many students benefit from aid that reduces actual costs substantially.
The combination of moderate published prices with strong aid targeting creates affordability that extends across multiple income levels, supporting the university's mission to serve diverse student populations. Financial aid effectiveness particularly benefits students from lower-income backgrounds, with need-based aid concentrated among those facing the greatest cost barriers.
This affordability advantage represents East Central University's primary competitive strength, enabling access for students who might face cost barriers at higher-priced institutions while maintaining educational quality and degree value.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
70 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
34 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
10 graduates
Biology, General.
47 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
32 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Higher acceptance rate (14.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 55 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OK | 80% | $45,079 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the East Central University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/east-central-university/analysis.
East Central University ranks #459 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, placing at the 71.9th percentile with above-average overall performance. Located in Ada, Oklahoma, this medium-sized public institution demonstrates excellent affordability performance at the 91.6th percentile while maintaining accessible admission standards with a 65.5% acceptance rate.
The university serves a diverse student body with 39.8% Pell-eligible students and 46.4% first-generation students, alongside 42.9% transfer students. East Central University achieves $408 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 57.8th percentile nationally.
Graduates earn a median of $44,962 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution at the 26th percentile for long-term earnings. Despite modestly below-average earnings, the university combines strong access with excellent debt management, positioning it within the Under-Resourced Institutions category where affordability and accessibility take precedence.
The university's accessible approach supports its role in serving first-generation and Pell-eligible students, with admission policies designed to recognize potential rather than solely rewarding past achievement. Students should expect straightforward admission processes focused on demonstrating college readiness rather than competing against extremely limited admission slots.
The combination of moderate selectivity with strong transfer acceptance (42.9% of students transfer in) creates multiple pathways for students to access higher education. For prospective students, East Central University represents a realistic option that balances academic standards with opportunity, making it suitable for students seeking four-year degree programs without extremely competitive admission requirements.
Building college lists around institutions with similar accessibility helps students identify multiple viable options for degree completion.
East Central University graduates demonstrate modest but steady earnings growth over time. Median earnings increase from $40,677 six years after enrollment to $42,292 at eight years and $44,962 at ten years, representing 10.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,608 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. The university generates $408 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing it in the 57.8th percentile for earnings uplift and earning the above-average tier designation.
Low-income graduates earn $38,900, reflecting the institution's commitment to serving diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $27,580 at the 25th percentile to $65,215 at the 75th percentile, with the gap representing a 2.4:1 ratio that reflects differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 28.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study according to program-mix estimates, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
East Central University offers 11 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing stands out as the highest-earning program, graduating 70 students with median earnings of $68,727 and ranking #214 nationally, #3 in Oklahoma.
The program represents 15.8% of the graduating class and serves as a flagship offering. Business Administration and Management graduates 61 students annually with median earnings of $43,967 and ranks #302 nationally, #6 in Oklahoma.
Human Services ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Oklahoma, graduating 36 students with median earnings of $42,443 and achieving the highest value score of 50.0 among programs. Biology ranks #161 nationally and #1 in Oklahoma, producing 47 graduates earning $56,216 with a strong value score of 56.5.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology enrolls 48 students annually with earnings of $37,960, while the emerging Artificial Intelligence program graduates 34 students earning $57,318, ranking #164 nationally and #3 in Oklahoma.
Oral Roberts University Higher acceptance rate (33.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 97 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OK | 99% | $46,885 | Compare |
University Of Central Oklahoma Higher acceptance rate (16.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 76 miles away; similar graduate earnings | OK | 82% | $48,351 | Compare |
Northeastern State University Higher acceptance rate (33.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | OK | 99% | $45,379 | Compare |
University Of New Mexico-Main Campus Higher acceptance rate (29.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NM | 95% | $44,792 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vermont State University Similar quality tier (#453 ranked) | VT | 83% | $50,331 | #453 | Compare |
Salisbury University Similar quality tier (#458 ranked) | MD | 89% | $61,515 | #458 | Compare |
North Carolina Central University Similar quality tier (#459 ranked) | NC | 90% | $42,968 | #459 | Compare |
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Similar quality tier in Southwest (#460 ranked) | AR | 58% | $45,265 | #460 | Compare |
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi Similar quality tier (#447 ranked) | NY | 88% | $51,629 | #447 | Compare |
