ECU vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Central University is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (3,377 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

ECU vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU or USAO? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than ECU ($8,070 vs. $8,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 22.2% lower than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($8,516 vs. $10,940).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $968 more per year; $9,000.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at USAO than at East Central University (about $2,348 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at East Central University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 41.2% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($13,068 vs. $9,255).

ECU vs. USAO Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU or USAO? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USAO and ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 180 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming USAO students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 900/1120; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Central University 17/24; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USAO students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at ECU (3.31).
• USAO has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 35.7% at USAO.

ECU vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU and USAO? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More USAO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.