Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Chickasha, Oklahoma
55.8% Acceptance Rate
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
55.8%Acceptance Rate
3.43Avg GPA
1143Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$21,258Annual Cost
$41,913Grad Salary
47%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
55.8%
Avg GPA
3.43
Avg SAT
1143
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1043–1188
ACT Middle 50%
21–25
Avg Net Price
$8,543
Need-Based Aid
47% receive Pell
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO), founded in 1908, is a public liberal arts college emphasizing interdisciplinary learning. It's ranked for value and core curriculum.
The campus blends historic buildings with modern labs and studios. Its unique Team Teaching' approach connects disciplines like art and science.
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Acceptance Rate
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 55.8%. This means that 56 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 55.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.98
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.
USAO GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at USAO is 3.43. 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 3.63-3.83 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.13 and 3.43, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
USAO GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Admissions at USAO utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.43, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.03 – 3.22
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.02
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Acceptance rate ~56?66% (sources vary; US News reports 56%); rolling admissions; test-optional; in-state tuition ~$8,496 (2024-25); located in Chickasha, OK (pop. ~16,000), 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
- Oklahoma's only public liberal arts university, formally designated as a separate institutional category by the state higher education system; only public institution in Oklahoma to earn an ACTA "A" grade for core curriculum requirements; one of only 23 universities nationally meeting this standard.
- Required 46-credit-hour IDS core runs across all four years; classes are team-taught by two or more faculty from different disciplines simultaneously - this is not a co-requisite structure but genuine concurrent team teaching, in place for 50+ years.
- Entire campus listed as a national historic district by the National Park Service in 2001 - the only educational institution in Oklahoma with this designation; federal NASNTI designation; 100% of full-time faculty hold postgraduate degrees; no classes taught by graduate assistants.
- The Rigor Metric: At USAO, 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 USAO
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's verified institutional data
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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.
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) 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 USAO Without SAT or ACT?
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Average SAT Score: 1143
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 1143 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1143 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1143 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1188 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1043, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at USAO. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 545 | 520 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 571 | 523 | 618 |
| SAT Composite | 1143 | 1043 | 1188 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1043 then you are below most of the admitted students at USAO and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1188 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) with a 1200 SAT?
With a 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) are good but the admission staff at USAO tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at USAO is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 23 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 21 | 25 |
Can I get into University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 25 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for USAO
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
USAO is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
The 46-Hour Team-Taught IDS Core Is Not General Education - It Is the Point of USAO
Every undergraduate who starts at USAO (transfer students with associate's degrees are exempt) completes a required 46-credit-hour Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) core curriculum that runs across all four years of enrollment. These courses are typically team-taught by two or more faculty members from different disciplines in the same classroom simultaneously - not just coordinated across departments, but genuinely co-taught. This structure has been in place for over 50 years and is the defining pedagogical feature that separates USAO from every other public institution in Oklahoma. Applications that treat USAO as just another small state school miss the argument that makes a file interesting here: you actively want a curriculum built around cross-disciplinary synthesis, taught by faculty who model intellectual range in real time, in classes that never separate the sciences from the humanities.
Oklahoma's Only Public Liberal Arts College Is a Genuine Market Position - Use It in Your Application
USAO holds a formally designated and unduplicated role in Oklahoma's state higher education system: it is the only public institution in the state with a strictly liberal arts-focused curriculum. The state system categorizes it separately from research universities and regional universities. USAO has received an "A" grade from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni for its required core curriculum every year since 2020, is ranked among the top 20 public liberal arts colleges nationally by US News, and was ranked 11th nationally in Washington Monthly's Best Bang for the Buck among Southern schools. Students who are looking for public-college pricing with private liberal arts college academic culture - specifically the cross-disciplinary, faculty-engaged model - should make that explicit calculation visible in their application essays.
The Campus Is a National Historic District - That Is Not Decorative Information
The entire USAO campus was listed as a national historic district by the National Park Service in 2001, making it the only educational institution in Oklahoma to hold that designation. Historic markers throughout the campus document buildings whose architecture and institutional history are tied to the campus's origins as the Oklahoma College for Women - one of only seven public women's colleges ever established in the United States. Students who care about physical place, architectural heritage, or the history of women's education in the American West should visit campus before applying; the physical environment is materially different from a standard regional university campus and is part of what students consistently cite as a distinctive feature of the USAO experience.
Native American Serving Institution Status Is a Practical Resource, Not Just a Label
USAO holds federal designation as a Native American Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI), reflecting its geographic location in the heart of Oklahoma and the meaningful proportion of Native American students it enrolls. This designation makes the institution eligible for federal grant funding that supports specific academic programs, scholarships, and student services targeted at Native American students and their communities. Students from Native American backgrounds applying to USAO should ask the financial aid office specifically what NASNTI-funded resources - scholarships, academic support programs, cultural programming - are currently available, since these vary year by year based on federal grant cycles and are often not visible in standard scholarship searches.
Expert Insight:
USAO's most common application failure is straightforward: students apply without demonstrating any understanding that the IDS team-taught core is what makes USAO specifically worth attending, rather than any other Oklahoma public institution. With only about 800 students enrolled and a genuine mission-driven curriculum, admissions staff can tell the difference between a student who investigated what the 46-credit IDS program actually involves and a student who applied because the price was right and it was open-enrollment. The second type of student also tends to underestimate how different team-taught cross-disciplinary courses feel compared to standard general education distribution requirements - and how much more work they require from students accustomed to siloed subject instruction.
USAO Profile
Full Name
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO)
City
Chickasha
State
Oklahoma
ZIP Code
73018-5322
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a USAO Degree Worth It?
Getting into USAO 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. USAO 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 USAO is $46,700 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.38%.
How much does a degree from USAO Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is $21,258. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is $8,543.
47% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 37.6 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to USAO and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist USAO as your choice in the form.
How much does a USAO Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $41,913. An average USAO 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.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. 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 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 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 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. 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 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. 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 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
Degree Programs at USAO
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma →
Frequently Asked Questions About USAO Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $41,913 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $21,258 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
47.0% 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 acceptance rate of University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 55.8% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.43. 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 3.13, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.13, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.03 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 3.43, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1143 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1043–1188.
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.