Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Lawton, Oklahoma
Cameron University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.31Avg GPA
$18,742Annual Cost
$40,118Grad Salary
41.2%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.31
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$10,705
Need-Based Aid
41.2% receive Pell
Cameron University, founded in 1908, is a public university in Lawton, Oklahoma. It offers programs in criminal justice, engineering, and performing arts. The campus includes a military veterans center and partnerships with Fort Sill.
CU is unranked but serves a high population of military students. Its southwestern location supports defense and tribal nation-related careers.
Cameron University Acceptance Rate
Cameron University maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Cameron University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Cameron University is 3.31. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.51-3.71 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.01 and 3.31, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Cameron University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Cameron University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.31, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Admission is governed by Oklahoma State Regents formula requirements (ACT 19-20+ or SAT 890-990+, or top-50% class rank, or 3.0 unweighted GPA) - not holistic committee review, so students under the threshold should focus energy on the ACT retake or GPA documentation rather than essay polish.
- The PLUS Scholarship (full tuition up to 18 credit hours + room waiver + stipend) admits only about 25 students per year and is Cameron's true selective program - application opens January 5.
- $20 flat application fee, waived for active-duty military.
- Cameron is the only Oklahoma university offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees at one site, with a second physical campus in Duncan, OK.
- The Rigor Metric: At Cameron University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Cameron University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Cameron University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Cameron University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Cameron University Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Cameron University is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Cameron University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Cameron University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Treat the PLUS Scholarship Application as a Second, Higher-Stakes Admissions Process
Cameron's general admission is open/formula-based (ACT 20+/GPA 3.0+ for automatic admission per Oklahoma State Regents rules), so the real competitive filter at Cameron is the PLUS Scholarship - a four-year full-tuition-plus-room leadership program that only admits roughly 25 students per cycle from a much larger applicant pool. It requires its own resume, a one-page essay on why the student chose Cameron and how they'll contribute, and three separate references (two from school officials, one specifically evaluating leadership). Students should be advised: get admitted early, because the PLUS scholarship application opens January 5 and has its own committee-interview stage - this is functionally Cameron's honors-caliber selective admit, layered on top of an otherwise non-selective university.
Write the PLUS Essay Around Contribution, Not Gratitude
The PLUS essay prompt specifically asks how the applicant will contribute to the Cameron community if selected - not simply why they want to attend. Generic "I chose Cameron because of affordability/location" essays fail this prompt's actual ask. Counsel students to name a specific campus body (a student org, the Aggie leadership structure, a department they'll get involved in) and describe a concrete planned contribution tied to the required community/campus service component scholars must complete - reviewers are screening for students who understand PLUS is a service commitment, not just free tuition.
Leverage the Automatic Departmental Tuition Waiver Track for Declared Majors
Separate from PLUS, Cameron offers incoming freshmen in any declared major department-level tuition waivers simply for hitting a 20 ACT (or equivalent) and/or 3.0 GPA threshold - this is not competitively awarded, it's a rules-based waiver triggered automatically once a major is declared and thresholds are met. Students right at the GPA/ACT boundary should be coached to retake the ACT specifically to clear 20, since that single point can trigger an automatic waiver that has nothing to do with the general admissions decision, which is already close to guaranteed.
Use the Lawton/Duncan Dual-Campus and One-Site AA-to-Master's Pipeline as a Differentiator in Program-Fit Essays
Cameron is unusual in offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees at a single site (plus a satellite Duncan campus) - a structural feature most Oklahoma regional universities don't share. For students planning a 2+2 or straight-through associate-to-master's pathway (common in nursing, business, and criminal justice tracks), essays and advising conversations should explicitly reference this one-institution pipeline as the reason Cameron minimizes transfer credit loss compared to starting at a separate community college.
Expert Insight:
Because Cameron's general admission is close to automatic, families sometimes disengage from the application entirely and miss the January 5 PLUS scholarship opening or the priority scholarship-matching window - Cameron auto-matches admitted students to scholarships based on the data already in the general application, so an incomplete or late-submitted general application silently forfeits merit aid eligibility, even though the student will still be admitted.
Cameron University Profile
Full Name
Cameron University
City
Lawton
State
Oklahoma
ZIP Code
73505-6377
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Cameron University Degree Worth It?
Getting into Cameron University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Cameron University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Cameron University is $45,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.75%.
How much does a degree from Cameron University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Cameron University is $18,742. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Cameron University is $10,705.
41.2% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 29.2 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Cameron University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Cameron University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Cameron University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Cameron University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $40,118. An average Cameron University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Cameron University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Cameron University →
Frequently Asked Questions About Cameron University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $40,118 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $18,742 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
41.2% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.31. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.01, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.01, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.91 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.31, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.