Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
70.4% Acceptance Rate
Oklahoma City University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
70.4%Acceptance Rate
3.77Avg GPA
1150Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$46,144Annual Cost
$54,655Grad Salary
22.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
70.4%
Avg GPA
3.77
Avg SAT
1150
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1110–1180
ACT Middle 50%
20–26
Need-Based Aid
22.6% receive Pell
Oklahoma City University, founded in 1904, is a private Methodist university renowned for its performing arts and law programs. Ranked among regional universities in the West, it includes the Bass School of Music and a moot court facility.
OCU merges liberal arts with professional training, offering MBA and dance programs alongside strong ties to Oklahoma City's cultural scene.
Oklahoma City University Acceptance Rate
Oklahoma City University is moderately selective. 70.4% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Oklahoma City University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 70.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.32
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Oklahoma City University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Oklahoma City University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 112 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Oklahoma City University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Oklahoma City University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Oklahoma City University is 3.77. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.47 and 3.77? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.97–4.17.Oklahoma City University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.37 – 3.56
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.36
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- All degree programs across Music, Theatre, and Dance require an audition or interview for admission, separate from general academic admission.
- Dance auditions are held three times a year and require dual-day attendance (info day + audition day).
- Undergraduate application fee is roughly $55; acceptance rate is around 70%.
- Music Theatre/Vocal Performance applicants must clear a prescreen round before being invited to a call-back audition.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Oklahoma City University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Oklahoma City University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Oklahoma City University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Oklahoma City University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Oklahoma City University Without SAT or ACT?
Oklahoma City University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Oklahoma City University Average SAT Score: 1150
Admitted students at Oklahoma City University average a 1150 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1150 — Less Competitive
A 1150 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1180 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Oklahoma City University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1110? A retake is worth it at Oklahoma City University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1150 | 1110 | 1180 |
A score under 1110 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1180+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Oklahoma City University with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Oklahoma City University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Oklahoma City University ACT Requirements
Oklahoma City University's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 26 |
Can I get into Oklahoma City University with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Oklahoma City University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Oklahoma City University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Oklahoma City University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Oklahoma City University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Answer the "Why Do the Arts Matter?" Essay With Real Specificity
OCU's college essay prompt asks applicants to explain, in about 500 words, why the arts matter using personal experience and optional research - avoid abstract philosophizing; ground the answer in a specific personal moment or project, since this prompt is a genuine differentiator for arts-focused applicants and generic answers about "the power of art" read as filler.
Treat Dance Auditions as a Mandatory Two-Day Commitment
OCU's Ann Lacy School of Dance requires attendance at both "Dance with the Stars Day" and the formal audition day - missing either day disqualifies a dancer from consideration, so applicants must block both dates on their calendar and arrange travel accordingly, not just show up for the audition itself.
Submit Prescreen Materials Early for Music Theatre and Vocal Performance
Unlike straight acting (BFA Acting) auditions, Music Theatre, Vocal Performance, and the Music Theatre/Vocal double major require a prescreen audition via Acceptd before any invitation to a call-back - treat the prescreen deadline as the real deadline, since missing it means never reaching the in-person or live-virtual round at all.
Know That BFA Acting Has a Simpler Path Than Music/Dance Tracks
BFA Acting auditions can be completed on campus in-person or via video submission through Acceptd, without the prescreen-then-callback structure required for music/vocal programs - acting-track applicants should not assume the more complex music/dance audition timeline applies to them, and can plan a more flexible submission schedule.
Expert Insight:
Because every OCU performing-arts degree requires an audition or interview regardless of the general academic application, students sometimes submit a strong academic application and assume that alone secures a spot in a specific arts program - academic admission and program-specific audition/interview approval are two separate hurdles, and clearing one doesn't guarantee the other.
Oklahoma City University Profile
Full Name
Oklahoma City University
City
Oklahoma City
State
Oklahoma
ZIP Code
73106-1402
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Oklahoma City University Degree Worth It?
At $46,144/year against a $54,655 median graduate salary, Oklahoma City University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $59,200, and graduates see a 3.01% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Oklahoma City University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $46,144/year at Oklahoma City University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Oklahoma City University, 22.6% receive a Pell Grant and 47.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Oklahoma City University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Oklahoma City University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Oklahoma City University graduates report a median income of $54,655, about 35% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Oklahoma City University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Oklahoma City University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Oklahoma City University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Oklahoma City University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma City University Admissions
Oklahoma City University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $54,655/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Oklahoma City University is moderate, around $46,144/year; many students supplement with aid.
22.6% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Oklahoma City University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Oklahoma City University's acceptance rate is 70.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Oklahoma City University students is 3.77, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.47 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Oklahoma City University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.37 or below makes admission tougher at Oklahoma City University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Oklahoma City University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1150, and within the 1110–1180 range, keeps you competitive.
Oklahoma City University's deadline is December 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01. That's Oklahoma City University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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