{
    "title": "UCO Recognized in The Journal Record's 2026 Reader Rankings",
    "modified_at": "2026-10-21 13:00:05",
    "published_at": "2026-10-21 13:00:00",
    "url": "https://news.uco.edu/uco-recognized-in-the-journal-records-2026-reader-rankings",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/loie",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "Oct. 21,  2026",
    "slug": "uco-recognized-in-the-journal-records-2026-reader-rankings",
    "body": "<p>The University of Central Oklahoma has been recognized by readers of The Journal Record in the publication&rsquo;s 2026 Reader Rankings, earning recognition for both its Best MBA Program and Best Undergraduate Program.</p><p>The annual Reader Rankings recognize Oklahoma businesses, organizations and professionals selected by readers as leaders in their industries. The 2026 rankings include more than 200 categories spanning education, health care, finance, technology, energy, entertainment and other industries.</p><p>UCO&rsquo;s recognition in both education categories reflects the university&rsquo;s commitment to preparing students for success through high-quality academic programs, hands-on learning and connections to Oklahoma&rsquo;s workforce and communities.</p><p>As Oklahoma&#039;s metropolitan university, UCO offers 121 undergraduate, 80 graduate and two doctoral programs to its more than 12,000 students from its 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.</p><p>UCO&rsquo;s latest Reader Rankings recognition adds to a growing list of honors for the university. UCO recently earned its highest-ever ranking in the U.S. News &amp; World Report Regional Universities&ndash;West category, moving to No. 55 in the 2027 rankings and maintaining its position as Oklahoma&rsquo;s highest-ranked public university in the category.</p><p>To view the Journal Record&rsquo;s 2026 Reader Rankings, visit <a href=\"https://journalrecord.com/reader-rankings-2026/\">journalrecord.com/reader-rankings-2026</a>. </p><p>For more information about Central, visit <a href=\"http://www.uco.edu\">www.uco.edu</a>. </p><p style=\"text-align: center\">(end)</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-d230edb2-34cd-42ca-9be1-992250235aae\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/eee27d1a-e66c-4fc6-ba8f-5f011b0c5414/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Devan Wielgos\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Devan Wielgos</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:dwielgos@uco.edu\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"dwielgos@uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>dwielgos@uco.edu</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:405-974-2127\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"405-974-2127\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>405-974-2127</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.uco.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>uco.edu</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
    "header": {
        "large": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/4bc25a44-0df7-4e42-993c-82aef40e8214/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/",
        "release": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/4bc25a44-0df7-4e42-993c-82aef40e8214/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/"
    },
    "contacts": [
        {
            "name": "Devan Wielgos",
            "company": "UCO University Communications",
            "description": "Communications and Marketing Coordinator",
            "email": "dwielgos@uco.edu",
            "website": "https://www.uco.edu",
            "address": null,
            "telephone": "405-974-2127",
            "mobile": null,
            "twitter": null,
            "facebook": null,
            "linkedin": null,
            "instagram": null
        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Sarah",
        "last_name": "Ward"
    },
    "format_version": 6
}