Even though Oklahoma is known as “where the winds come sweeping down the plains,” many of the greatest schools and universities within its borders are accessible to students who travel down hills, across rivers, over valleys, and even from other countries.
In that, it mostly comprises state-supported public institutions and small religious colleges, Oklahoma’s higher education system is similar to that of many other Midwestern states.
But if you pay close attention to the specifics, you’ll quickly notice that a lot of these universities also have a few rather distinctive qualities.
The main lesson here is that all you need to do is know where to look to find the best colleges in Oklahoma. Fortunately, we’ve done a lot of the legwork for you and compiled a top-15 ranking just for your convenience.
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What are the most popular degrees offered in the best colleges in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is a traditionally agricultural state, but in recent years, its economy has become increasingly diversified. Agribusiness and farm supply industries are continuously growing, but there has also been an expansion in the research and technology sectors.
International commerce, finance, and banking are frequently used in the natural resources sector. Due to rising demand and modifications in governmental policy, the healthcare and educational sectors have expanded.
The most sought-after degrees in Oklahoma are broken down into the categories shown below.
- Business & Marketing
- Education
- Engineering
- Health Professions
- Humanities & Psychology
How Much Can You Make by Having a Degree?
Oklahoma degree holders make a lot more money than people who merely have a high school diploma. A bachelor’s degree can increase lifetime earnings by an additional 1.1 million dollars.
Those with a bachelor’s degree can expect to make $2.5 million, while those with only a high school diploma can expect to make around $1.4 million. 87% of Oklahoma residents who received a bachelor’s degree after graduation was still living and working there a year later.
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15 Best Colleges In Oklahoma | 2024 Ranking
1. Tulsa Community College
The University of Tulsa provides an experience that is difficult to match as the only university from Oklahoma listed in the U.S. News ranking of the Top 100 Best Colleges.
Some of the most accomplished academics in the area receive a top-notch education from its many nationally renowned academic departments, which include excellent programs in Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science, and Organizational Psychology.
UT is known for its intense competition; new freshmen post 3.9 high school GPAs and an average ACT score of 30. But most people would concur that it was worthwhile to put in the effort to get into such a prestigious school.
Attendees at UT can profit from a 70% graduation rate and a distinguished degree from one of the best colleges in Oklahoma.
They have a $322K ROI over the following twenty years by remaining committed and ambitious.
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2. Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Oklahoma State University, the flagship institution of the Oklahoma State University System, is immediately recognizable with 24,000 students and 200 undergraduate degree programs.
Bigger is always better at Oklahoma State. Consider the 70,000 attendees at “America’s Greatest Homecoming,” the 51 NCAA Division I football championships, and the $348K ROI of PayScale.com.
It has been acknowledged as one of the best colleges in Oklahoma as well as a Princeton Review-approved “Best Western College,” and it is simple to understand why.
OSU is firmly in the same class as the other best colleges in Oklahoma thanks to its cutting-edge initiatives for Truman Scholars and aspiring business leaders (such as a globally renowned entrepreneurism effort).
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3. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, is one of the best colleges in Oklahoma and the only public institution in the state wholly committed to a liberal arts-focused curriculum.
Students at USAO complete a hard senior thesis as the culmination of a rigorous 46-hour interdisciplinary studies core curriculum that covers a variety of subjects in history, science, art, math, literature, and philosophy.
Aside from its attraction to bookworms, USAO is a top alternative for those who are eager and on a tight budget.
Thanks to its trimester schedule and astonishingly cheap net price, USAO enables committed students to get their degrees in three years or less with little to no debt.
4. Northeastern State University
Founded before the area had even attained statehood, Northeastern State University is the state of Oklahoma’s oldest institution of higher learning.
The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma’s capital is not far from NSU’s main campus, making it an accessible and dependable resource for Native American students.
25% of students still identify as Native Americans, therefore, they can take advantage of numerous seminars that use Cherokee as their first language.
Along with a broad choice of degree programs in traditional arts, natural sciences, and pre-professional disciplines, the Oklahoma university’s comprehensive, well-liked Native American Linguistics program is accessible to students from all backgrounds.
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5. Oklahoma Baptist University
This is one of the best colleges in Oklahoma, which is owned and run by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
The institution carries on the academic legacy of the Baptist Church by requiring all students to complete a common curriculum.
Although the school’s high academic requirements are undoubtedly demanding, students can find solace, support, and direction in the community of both students and teachers who are firmly grounded in their faith.
Through its competitive honors program, which requires international study, volunteer work, and a senior thesis capstone, OBU also encourages assiduous scholarship.
OBU also offers a Lifelong Learning program. Students can apply to continue taking any number of college courses for free after they graduate. The program is open to the most academically driven students.
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6. Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Unaffordable education is pointless, especially if graduates must work their way out of debt for years after they graduate. Fortunately, Northwestern Oklahoma State University students don’t need to be concerned about that!
NWOSU’s competitive tuition and extensive financial aid services ensure that students receive a degree they won’t regret, and the university is recognized by U.S. News as a national leader in low student debt.
Additionally, NOSU is renowned for offering the nation’s cheapest room and board at just $3,760 per year! Although Northwestern Oklahoma State frequently appears on lists of the best colleges in Oklahoma, rest assured that this affordable Oklahoma institution isn’t about cutting corners.
7. Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College
Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College offers students an intimate learning atmosphere and a spiritually uplifting experience that is well worth their money. Hillsdale University offers a unique chance for students to be a part of a tight community of scholars and faith leaders at an affordable charge with only 226 conventional students enrolled on their expansive campus.
The student body may not be particularly impressive in terms of size, but the school’s narrow selection of degree programs—which includes options in Ministry, Business, Humanities, Theology, Psychology, and Education—and unwavering commitment to individualized instruction will provide students with the skills they need to stand out to potential employers.
Hillsdale University offers organizations and varsity athletics, including nationally ranked basketball and baseball teams, as additional opportunities for students to develop leadership and collaborative abilities outside of the classroom.
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8. Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is among the greatest colleges in Oklahoma. It has the most nationally accredited academic programs and departments of any senior regional university in Oklahoma at 15.
Eight distinct schools of SOSU, including schools of art, communication, theater, biology, and music, provide 38 degree programs. Interdisciplinary majors are also available, allowing students to design their curricula under the careful supervision of faculty.
This university’s innovative educational methodology is paying off in more ways than one, as evidenced by its almost $200K ROI on PayScale.com and its prestigious status as a “Tier 1” university in the west.
9. Oklahoma Christian University
The typical Christian liberal arts college is not Oklahoma Christian University. The campus is only ten minutes from the heart of Oklahoma City, so students are not restricted to a tiny area with severe regulations.
And unlike some other religiously associated universities, OCU has embraced technology.
They offer free WiFi across the campus and personal laptops to every student (the Oklahoma college has given out MacBooks and iPhones to all students and teachers since 2008!).
Academically demanding courses at OCU, where the highest level of student accomplishment is always prioritized, are effortlessly infused with Christian ideas by professors.
This cheap college has continuously been ranked among the best colleges in Oklahoma thanks to its focus on pedagogy and forward-thinking principles.
10. University of Oklahoma
With 20,000 undergraduate students and 152 courses of study, the University of Oklahoma is a massive public research university that can sate even the most voracious intellectual appetites.
OU’s curricula include something for everyone, including rare majors like Native American Studies, Meteorology, Geology, and Aviation (with language courses in Cherokee, Choctaw, and Kiawah).
The emphasis on educational quantity at this university in Oklahoma doesn’t diminish its standing for academic quality.
The school ranks first in the country for National Merit Scholars and is among the top 10 graduating Rhodes Scholars.
One of the best colleges in Oklahoma for student involvement and post-graduate performance. OU soars with a graduation rate that is significantly higher than the state and national averages.
11. East Central University
East Central University is an accessible university in Oklahoma that offers 70 undergraduate degree programs in the liberal arts, business, education, and psychology.
They also offer health, social and natural sciences, and other courses.
In actuality, ECU is most well-known for its cartography program, one of very few in the country. One of just 30 such programs in the US to receive accreditation from the National Environmental Health Sciences and Protection Accreditation Council.
Through on-campus programming, which includes everything from leadership development seminars and volunteer opportunities to Greek life and more than 60 student-run groups, ECU also engages students outside of the classroom.
12. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Students of faith thrive in a community that faithfully upholds Christ’s teachings at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. The evangelical university is connected to the Wesleyan Church. OWU, ranked by U.S.
News as the fifth-best value college in the western area competes with the best colleges in Oklahoma for both quality and value.
On the main campus, where learning and spirituality converge to form a close-knit community, little over 400 students attend lessons.
There are 35 distinct majors available to students, all of which provide small class numbers, individualized teaching from caring instructors, and a focus on spiritual education.
13. Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Since the state’s founding, Oklahoma Panhandle State University has a century-long history of turning out farmers who have supported and fed regional agriculture.
With some of the most effective and useful instructional tools in the bovine, horse, and swine research today. This ritual is still today kept by academics.
For instance, the Firestone Meat Lab is a mainstay in the agricultural studies division. They offer students the opportunity to learn about many facets of the meat processing business while working in the lab.
This facility provides meat and meat processing services for graduation and the Texas County Fair. It makes it a mainstay in the neighborhood and on campus.
14. University of Central Oklahoma
Forbes placed the University of Central Oklahoma among the top 10% of America’s Greatest Colleges. This makes it without a doubt one of the best educational institutions in the state.
However, what sets this institution apart from other best colleges in Oklahoma are its renowned and distinctive academic divisions. For starters, OCU is home to the state’s largest jazz program and a nationally renowned physics department.
UCO is home to an excellent and diverse community of academics thanks to its unique degree programs in forensic science. The school also offers funeral services, photojournalism, and biomedical engineering.
15. Oklahoma City Community College
Since its establishment in 1972, Oklahoma City Community College has been dedicated to helping its community. It has given students from all backgrounds access to a top-notch education.
The urban campus now has approximately 12,000 students enrolled, a 100% admission rate, and a 25:1 student-to-teacher ratio. OCC students have the option to pursue specialties in several subjects, including Liberal Arts and Humanities, Nursing, Business, and more.
Overall, Oklahoma City Community College is the ideal choice for you. Especially if you’re seeking the best colleges in Oklahoma to help you reach your academic objectives.
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Conclusion
The best colleges in Oklahoma are a great experience for everyone, but especially for non-residents. The situation is far from modest and typical. Oklahoma is a very separate society on its own, from city life to the rich, and diversified ethnic backdrop.
Their food, music, and culture are also unique.
They are adept at preparing pupils for success and allowing people to identify their areas of expertise and loudest voice.
A booming economy made it simple for graduates to integrate into the quickly growing sector, preparing them for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions On Best colleges in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has 12 private institutions, 50 public colleges and universities, and 4 tribal colleges and universities. Additionally, Oklahoma is home to five medical schools: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (Tulsa), Oklahoma State University College of Medicine (Oklahoma City), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (Oklahoma City) School of Osteopathic Medicine, Oral Roberts University (Tulsa), and Southern Nazarene University College for Medical Missions (Bethany)
The University of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa, and Oklahoma State University are just a few of the public colleges in Oklahoma that are renowned for their engineering programs.
These institutions provide degree programs in a variety of disciplines, including forestry, industrial design, manufacturing, meteorology, petroleum engineering, and telecommunications, at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels
We may also rank institutions in Oklahoma based on their acceptance rates, which represent the proportion of applicants that received acceptance letters (data from Niche, 2024), to determine which institution is the most difficult to get into
1. University of Tulsa (Tulsa, OK) – 36%
2. East Central University (Ada, OK) – 36%
3. Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK) – 57%
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University (Bartlesville, OK) – 58
References
- collegeconsensus.com – 2024 Best Colleges & Universities In Oklahoma
- collegefactual.com – 2024 Best Colleges in Oklahoma
- collegechoice.net – 10 Best Colleges in Oklahoma
- edsmart.org – Best Colleges & Universities in Oklahoma
- bestvalueschools.com – 15 Best Value Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma
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