Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Central Oklahoma #337 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Central Oklahoma #846 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Central Oklahoma #278 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Central Oklahoma's composite standing reflects a consistent pattern of return and mobility outcomes that hold up across the institution's broad-access student population, anchored by a business-dominant program mix that connects graduates to stable regional employment. Graduates earn median $54,402 four years after enrollment, placing University of Central Oklahoma in the 14.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside a 50.3 percentile standing for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Central Oklahoma #337 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Edmond, OK, University of Central Oklahoma enrolls roughly 10,170 undergraduates. Retention stands at 65.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 36.8%, reflecting a student body that largely completes what it starts. The composite is anchored by what University of Central Oklahoma delivers for its students. 36.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.2% are first-generation college students, making the university a meaningful access point for Oklahoma families. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,402, and earn about $1,808 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Central Oklahoma in the 50.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program concentration in Business shapes a graduate profile oriented toward stable, regionally relevant careers. Return on investment sits in the 42.9 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, while access sits in the 85.1 percentile, mobility in the 81.0 percentile, and affordability in the 68.2 percentile. The admission rate of 78.1% reflects a broad-access posture consistent with the university's public mission. For families weighing long-term value, University of Central Oklahoma offers a combination of accessible entry, manageable cost, and earnings outcomes that compare favorably with similar institutions.
University of Central Oklahoma's published cost of attendance is $26,392. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $15,275, middle-income families pay around $17,776, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,183. Azimuth ranks University of Central Oklahoma #454 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of Central Oklahoma participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The institution's public tuition structure and broad financial-aid reach shape affordability outcomes across income levels, though the narrower net-price spread across bands reflects the resource constraints typical of regional public universities. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,191; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,402, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Central Oklahoma is a strong fit for students in OK who want an accessible public university with a clear path into business, education, and applied professional fields — particularly those who plan to build careers in the regional labor market after graduation. The earnings case is solid for a broadly accessible institution. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,402, placing University of Central Oklahoma in the 14.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and graduates earn about $1,808 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Central Oklahoma in the 50.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access profile is broad. 36.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.2% are first-generation students — a population that University of Central Oklahoma serves at meaningful scale, with a completion rate for Pell-eligible students of 43.2%. Low-income graduates sit in the 51.2 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, suggesting the institution delivers real upward mobility for students who need it most. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business and related applied fields, so students whose interests align there will find the strongest outcomes, and the institution draws primarily from the regional Oklahoma labor market rather than national or high-mobility career pipelines.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Central Oklahoma hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Central Oklahoma's published cost of attendance is $26,392. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $15,275, middle-income families pay around $17,776, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,183.
Azimuth ranks University of Central Oklahoma #454 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
University of Central Oklahoma participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA.
The institution's public tuition structure and broad financial-aid reach shape affordability outcomes across income levels, though the narrower net-price spread across bands reflects the resource constraints typical of regional public universities. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,191; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,402, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $54,402 four years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 14.0th percentile for median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,808 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing UCO in the 50.3rd percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks UCO #846 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 42.9th percentile overall. Those figures represent meaningful lifetime returns relative to Oklahoma's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928, the state median for working adults ages 25–34 with only a high school credential.
The earnings pattern reflects UCO's concentration in Business fields, which account for 17% of graduates. Among the largest programs, Liberal Arts and The Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program graduates 220 students with median earnings of $49,383, ranking #118 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Azimuth ranks Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing #223 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 155 graduates earning $82,603, while Psychology, General ranks #252 nationally with 153 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $47,937.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Toledo Similar quality tier (#10896 ranked) | OH | 92% | $50,632 | #10896 | Compare |
State University Of New York At Oswego Similar quality tier (#10921 ranked) | NY | 81% | $57,566 | #10921 | Compare |
Texas A&M University-San Antonio Similar quality tier in Southwest (#10887 ranked) | TX | 93% | $54,338 | #10887 | Compare |
West Virginia University Similar quality tier (#10885 ranked) | WV | 89% | $55,939 | #10885 | Compare |
Bridgewater State University Similar quality tier (#10884 ranked) | MA | 88% | $57,466 | #10884 | Compare |
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
28 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
24 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
79 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
155 graduates
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
26 graduates
University of Central Oklahoma's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields — a signature consistent with its identity as a regional public university serving the Oklahoma City metro. Business-oriented programs account for the largest share of degree output, with Business representing 17% of graduates, followed by Education at 8% and Arts at 5%.
The institution's 53 programs serve roughly 2,401 students annually, with 32 programs meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold across the nonprofit four-year institutions. Nursing anchors the institution's strongest aggregate return — combining meaningful cohort scale with solid four-year earnings, making it the program with the greatest collective economic impact at University of Central Oklahoma.
Among the most popular programs, General Studies program graduates 220 students annually with median earnings of $49,383 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #107 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Nursing and Psychology, General round out the high-enrollment tier, each contributing substantial graduate volume to the institution's overall earnings profile.
The highest-earning programs at University of Central Oklahoma cluster in applied business and technical fields. Artificial Intelligence leads on early-career pay, with graduates earning $87,792 four years after enrollment — Azimuth ranks it #104 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Nursing and Business Administration follow closely, both representing high-mobility, direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect labor-market outcomes rather than graduate-school deferrals. For context on how these fields align with national hiring demand, see the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/).
