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East Central University

ECU

Ada, Oklahoma 74820-6999

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateRuralPublic

Known for business — excellent value

East Central University is a public institution in Ada with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1019, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.2K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

33% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $44,962 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $9,287.

Established
1909
Mascot
Roary the Tiger
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

217 upcoming visits · Next: Tue, Jun 2 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

66%Acceptance
1019SAT Avg
2,157Students
16:1Student:Faculty
33%Grad Rate
$44,962Earnings 10yr
$9,287Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

East Central University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate65.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1019

Reading & WritingMid: 424
435515
MathMid: 497
500540

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 20
1622

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

65.5%

Trend

SAT Avg

1019

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,032
Tuition (out-of-state)$17,542
Room & Board$7,752
Books & Supplies$1,590
Total Cost of Attendance$17,559
Average Net Price$9,287
Median Debt at Graduation$17,671
Monthly Payment (10yr)$187

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$6,438
$30–48K$7,127
$48–75K$10,162
$75–110K$14,790
$110K+$14,395

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

45.5%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$11,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (65)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

57%

Negative
  • 57% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
2,157
Gender Split
60% / 40%
Women / Men
First Generation
46%
Pell Grant Recipients
40%

Race & Ethnicity

White 51%
Black 9%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 6%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate32.7%
Freshman Retention56.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$40,677
10 Years$44,962

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#45
2
vs 2024
Forbes
#52
1
vs 2024
Niche
#38
3
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Athletic programs

History & Fun Facts

  • History The university was founded as East Central State Normal School in 1909, two years after Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th U.
  • The 1910 Oklahoma Legislature funded faculty salaries and the construction of a building on a 16-acre (65,000 m) site donated by a Chickasaw allottee.
  • In 1919, the normal schools were authorized by the Oklahoma Legislature to offer four years of teacher education, to offer bachelor's degrees, and were designated teachers' colleges.
  • From 1910 to 1960, East Central operated Horace Mann Training School, a teacher education program.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

OKC Oklahoma City68 mi
DFW Dallas-Fort Worth131 mi
AUS Austin321 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1472 mi · ~42h 31m drive
New York, NY1300 mi · ~37h 33m drive
Hartford, CT1383 mi · ~39h 57m drive
Providence, RI1447 mi · ~41h 48m drive
Albany, NY1344 mi · ~38h 50m drive
Syracuse, NY1238 mi · ~35h 46m drive
Rochester, NY1172 mi · ~33h 51m drive
Buffalo, NY1106 mi · ~31h 57m drive
Philadelphia, PA1230 mi · ~35h 32m drive
Pittsburgh, PA991 mi · ~28h 38m drive
Harrisburg, PA1146 mi · ~33h 6m drive
Newark, NJ1292 mi · ~37h 19m drive
Washington, DC1120 mi · ~32h 21m drive
Baltimore, MD1147 mi · ~33h 8m drive
Atlanta, GA704 mi · ~20h 20m drive
Charlotte, NC895 mi · ~25h 51m drive
Raleigh, NC1018 mi · ~29h 25m drive
Miami, FL1161 mi · ~33h 32m drive
Orlando, FL995 mi · ~28h 45m drive
Tampa, FL960 mi · ~27h 44m drive
Nashville, TN564 mi · ~16h 18m drive
New Orleans, LA509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Richmond, VA1088 mi · ~31h 26m drive
Chicago, IL693 mi · ~20h 1m drive
Detroit, MI901 mi · ~26h 2m drive
Minneapolis, MN728 mi · ~21h 2m drive
St. Louis, MO446 mi · ~12h 53m drive
Kansas City, MO320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Indianapolis, IN672 mi · ~19h 25m drive
Columbus, OH830 mi · ~23h 59m drive
Cleveland, OH935 mi · ~27h 1m drive
Milwaukee, WI739 mi · ~21h 21m drive
Dallas, TX138 mi · ~3h 59m drive
Houston, TX354 mi · ~10h 14m drive
Austin, TX318 mi · ~9h 11m drive
San Antonio, TX385 mi · ~11h 7m drive
Los Angeles, CA1229 mi · ~35h 30m drive
San Francisco, CA1445 mi · ~41h 45m drive
San Diego, CA1184 mi · ~34h 12m drive
Seattle, WA1591 mi · ~45h 58m drive
Portland, OR1552 mi · ~44h 50m drive
Denver, CO572 mi · ~16h 31m drive
Phoenix, AZ885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
Salt Lake City, UT927 mi · ~26h 47m drive
Honolulu, HI3789 mi · ~109h 28m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Oklahoma City (OKC)68 miles
Rental car
102 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
136 min$82-136
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)131 miles
Rental car
197 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
262 min$157-262

Deadline Calendar

East Central University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

East Central University — v2 Preview — TourStack