University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Central Oklahoma at a Glance
The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is a public university in Edmond, Oklahoma, United States. It is Oklahoma's third-largest university, with more than 12,500 students and about 430 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty. Founded in 1890, UCO is one of the first institutions of higher learning to be established in what became the state of Oklahoma, making it one of the oldest universities in the southwest U.S. It is home to the American branch of the British Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM@U…
1890
136 years old
12,382
10,824 undergrad · 1,562 grad
935
210 acres
Identity
Is University of Central Oklahoma Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, University of Central Oklahoma is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,351 — 10% below average — while paying $18,309/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 37% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Central Oklahoma has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Central Oklahoma compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #124 of 146 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #124 | University of Central Oklahoma | 25 | $18,309 | $48,351 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Central Oklahoma's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OK.
Best Programs at University of Central Oklahoma
The highest-earning program at University of Central Oklahoma is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $18,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Central Oklahoma earns $58,800, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $18,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,118 in median debt vs. $21,077 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,309/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,800 | $58,800 | $24,118 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,000 | $52,000 | $22,458 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $50,200 | $50,200 | $25,500 |
| Public Health | $41,300 | $41,300 | $21,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,600 | $40,600 | $16,817 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $40,300 | $40,300 | $30,584 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | $40,000 | $40,000 | $22,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,000 | $39,000 | $20,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $36,600 | $36,600 | $23,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,300 | $36,300 | $20,352 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $36,100 | $36,100 | N/A |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,900 | $35,900 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,100 | $34,100 | $26,042 |
| Marketing | $34,100 | $34,100 | $19,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,100 | $33,100 | $23,381 |
| History | $32,900 | $32,900 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $32,700 | $32,700 | $20,968 |
| Biology, General | $32,200 | $32,200 | $24,125 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,000 | $32,000 | $22,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $31,700 | $31,700 | $22,050 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,400 | $31,400 | $19,750 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $21,104 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,100 | $27,100 | $22,750 |
| Journalism | $26,900 | $26,900 | $19,015 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other | $21,200 | $21,200 | $24,250 |
| Music | $20,600 | $20,600 | $16,715 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,000 | $18,000 | $21,077 |
Similar Colleges in OK
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Edmond, OK
- Student Body
- 10,170 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,309
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,351
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000