UCO Earns Highest Ranking Ever on US News & World Report Best Colleges List – news.uco.edu

Sept. 23, 2026
The University of Central Oklahoma achieved the institution's highest-ever rankings on the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list. UCO ranks No. 55 among Regional Universities–West, its highest ranking since first appearing in the ranked category in the 2012 edition. UCO remains Oklahoma’s highest-ranked public university in the Regional Universities–West category.
UCO also ranks No. 27 among Top Public Schools–West, improving from No. 32 in 2026 and No. 38 in 2025—marking the highest ranking since 2020.
The university ranks No. 68 among Top Performers in Social Mobility: Regional Universities, moving up 17 spots from 2026, which is among Central's highest ranking in the category.
“The University of Central Oklahoma's highest-ever ranking among Regional Universities–West reflects the momentum we are building and our continued commitment to student success and delivering meaningful value through a comprehensive university experience,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“This recognition is a testament to the work happening across our university to meet students where they are. As higher education continues to evolve, we remain focused on preparing students for the future, expanding opportunity and meeting the workforce needs of Oklahoma.”
The rankings come as UCO welcomes its largest freshman class in nearly a decade. More than 2,000 first-time freshmen make up the Class of 2030, a 4% increase from fall 2025 and a 10% increase from fall 2023. More than 96% of the incoming class graduated from an Oklahoma high school.
Several UCO academic programs also earned recognition, including programs in engineering, nursing, computer science, business and psychology.
UCO offers 121 undergraduate, 80 graduate and two doctoral programs to its more than 12,000 students from the main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, and facilities throughout the Oklahoma City metro. The university is governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. UCO also holds dozens of specialized national accreditations for its colleges, schools, departments and programs.
For more information about UCO, visit www.uco.edu.
(end)
Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma earned its highest-ever ranking among Regional Universities–West in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list, ranking No. 55. UCO also ranked No. 27 among Top Public Schools–West and No. 68 for social mobility, a 17-spot improvement from 2026.
By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.
The University of Central Oklahoma is a campus community in motion—leading, innovating and creating transformative learning opportunities that foster success for our students. As Oklahoma’s largest metropolitan university, we provide high-quality, nationally recognized programs that are always evolving and adapting to the needs of our students and the community. This commitment is rooted in our founding in 1890 as the state’s teacher’s college, training those who would educate the next generation of leaders and innovators. We remain dedicated to offering an accessible, affordable education, earning national accolades for social mobility, veterans’ outreach and first-generation student programs.
Guided by the motto “ubi motus est” – which translates to “where movement is” – the university continues to evolve and grow, offering 119 undergraduate and 81 graduate programs to our more than 12,000 students from our main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, and facilities throughout the Oklahoma City metro. Our colors were the first adopted of any university in the state, and our Bronze and Blue symbolize our greatest strengths—the illumination of new ideas and the endless expanse of a clear sky above. At UCO, anything is possible.
The university is governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034
405-974-2307
ucomm@uco.edu
www.uco.edu

source