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Ada , OK
East Central University (ECU) is a public university located in Ada, Oklahoma. Established in 1909 as East Central Normal School, the university has grown over the years to become a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. ECU is known for its commitment to providing a quality education while fostering a supportive and inclusive community for its students.
With over 70 degree programs across various disciplines, East Central University offers a diverse array of academic opportunities. These programs are offered through four distinct colleges: the College of Education and Psychology, the College of Health and Sciences, the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business, and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The university is also home to the Oklahoma Center for Arts Education, which provides exceptional programs and resources in arts education.
East Central University takes pride in its close-knit community and the personal attention it provides to each student. As an institution that values diversity and inclusivity, ECU fosters an environment where students from different backgrounds can thrive. The university also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations to promote student engagement and personal growth.
Whether students are seeking a strong foundation for their future careers, a supportive learning environment, or a vibrant campus experience, East Central University offers all of these and more. With its diverse programs, dedicated faculty, and commitment to student success, ECU is a top choice for those looking for a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.
East Central University is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Ada, OK. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 58%. The freshman retention rate at East Central University is 61% and the six-year graduation rate is 34%.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into East Central University.
Quick Facts
2,644
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
34%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Read on to learn some important information about admission at East Central University.
In 2025, the school accepted 1,249 new students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 3% and ACT scores 55%. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.36. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for East Central University was 61%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 34%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at East Central University in 2025 was 3,377.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 10% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 2,644, 195 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 394 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 947 male and 1,414 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at East Central University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 15, while the number of Afro-American students was 162. 225 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 182 identified with more than one race. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 391 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 139 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for East Central University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $6,300, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $16,110 for students coming from out of state. Tuition costs at East Central University for international students were $16,110. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,643 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $16,110 | $1,643 | $17,753 |
| In-State | $6,300 | $1,643 | $7,943 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant financial factor. The estimated expense of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,590.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at East Central University was $8,616 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $4,336, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,300 |
| Room and Board | $ 8,616 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,590 |
| Total Expense | $ 16,506 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at East Central University.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $7,052,260, and state $2,534,757.
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,218,048. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at East Central University was 18:1: that means 18 students per one teacher.
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about campus life at East Central University.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
Those interested in music can join the East Central University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? East Central University publishes its own newspaper.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at East Central University.
Career Counselling
At East Central University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 45,000 USD.
$45,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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East Central University is located in Ada, OK.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for East Central University is 58%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for East Central University is 61%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.