UCO honored as top ‘Public Regional University’

The University of Central Oklahoma continues to climb in national rankings according to the recently released 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list.

UCO ranked No. 62 among Regional Universities–West, up from No. 70 in 2025. Among the Top Public Schools–West list, UCO ranked No. 32, improving from No. 38.

UCO is Oklahoma’s highest-ranked public university in the Regional Universities–West category. Additionally, UCO ranked No. 85 in the Top Performers in Social Mobility: Regional Universities list, moving up five spots from 2025.

Several UCO academic programs were recognized for excellence. The School of Engineering was ranked No. 197 nationally on the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs list, up from No.

205 in 2025. Central was also ranked by U.S. News & World Report for excellence in nursing, computer science, business and psychology.

“The University of Central Oklahoma’s continued rise in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff to helping our students achieve their goals. Moving up in the Regional Universities-West and Top Public Schools categories underscores our growing reputation as Oklahoma’s metropolitan university of choice,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.

“From engineering to social mobility, these recognitions highlight our commitment to undergraduate research, workforce readiness and creating a transformative learning experience. At UCO, meeting students where they are means moving forward and upward, together.”

Regional universities are divided into four categories: North, South, Midwest and West and are defined as universities that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs.

According to U.S. News & World Report, rankings for the Best Colleges list are determined based on key indicators gathered using a combination of the institution’s responses to the U.S. News & World Report statistical survey, information from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and information gathered in assessments from peer institutions. These key indicators include graduate and retention rates for students, undergraduate academic reputation, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving rates.