The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is a public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. It is one of the largest universities in Oklahoma, with 17,000 students.
UCO is the oldest public higher education institution in Oklahoma. It was established in 1890 as the Territorial Normal School, a teacher training college. Its first graduating class comprised just five students – two men and three women. The school was authorised to grant bachelor’s degrees in 1939 as the Central State College. About 100 years after it was founded, it finally became the University of Central Oklahoma.
Almost 120 undergraduate majors are offered at UCO, along with 70 graduate majors. UCO has been lauded for its teaching in physics, music, education and nursing.
The Bronchos, UCO’s athletic teams, have had long term successes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. The cheerleading and wrestling teams consistently rank at the top of the division.
UCO is home to the American branch of the Academy of Contemporary Music, a British music academy which focuses on rock, pop and electronic dance music. The university branch is headed by the Flaming Lips manager Scott Booker, a UCO alumnus. The university also has a nationally recognised Jazz Studies programme.
The university’s 210 acre campus has been singled out for its excellent sustainability rating and innovative approaches to green living. It is the only university in the state to be recognised as “bicycle friendly”, and students are able to use bikes free of charge through UCO.
