East Central University
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. a public school with 2,467 students.
About This School
East Central University is a public institution located in Ada, Oklahoma with approximately 2,467 undergraduate students enrolled. East Central University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 58%. The average net price after financial aid is $8,683 per year. The graduation rate is 34%, and the typical graduate earns $42,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
East Central University is a public university in Ada, Oklahoma. It is part of Oklahoma's Regional University System. Beyond its flagship campus in Ada, the university has courses available in McAlester, Shawnee, and Durant, as well as online courses. Founded as East Central State Normal School in 1909, its present name was adopted in 1985. Some of its more prominent alumni include former Microsoft COO B. Kevin Turner, Modernist painter Leon Polk Smith, former NFL player Mark Gastineau, past governors Robert S. Kerr and George Nigh, former U.S. Representative Lyle Boren, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Tom Colbert, and U.S. Army General James D. Thurman.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $9,287/year net price and $11,250 in median debt at graduation, ECU is genuinely affordable, and for cost-conscious students in southeastern Oklahoma, that matters. But the 33% graduation rate and 57% freshman retention rate are hard to ignore — most students who start here don't finish, which is a serious red flag worth asking the school about directly. If you're highly motivated, have a clear plan, and need a low-cost regional option, it's worth a look — but go in with eyes open.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,467 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Oklahoma State University
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Tulsa Community College
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University of Central Oklahoma
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Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK · Public
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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