Why This Matters

  • 29 COLLEGES IN OKLAHOMA

    According to College Navigator, there are 16 public colleges, 12 private non-profit colleges, and one private for-profit school in Oklahoma.

  • $9,230 AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION & FEES

    This is the amount the average Oklahoma student paid for undergraduate tuition at a public in-state college during the 2021-22 school year.

  • $14,800 FINANCIAL AID PER U.S. STUDENT

    The average full-time undergraduate student received this sum in financial aid during the 2020-21 school year, according to College Board.

Our Research

This list features some of the best brick-and-mortar schools in Oklahoma. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The colleges on our list are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a reputable organization that examines the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of education programs in the central United States.

We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

The Top 50 Colleges in Oklahoma

Best Colleges In Oklahoma
01
Intelligent Pick
The University of Oklahoma
01
Best Private School
University of Tulsa
01
Best Hands-on Learning
Oklahoma State University
01
Best Seminary Degrees
Oklahoma City University
01
Best Faith-based Institution
Oklahoma Baptist University
01
Best Faculty Experience
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
01
Best for Veterans
Oral Roberts University
01
Best for Study Abroad
Oklahoma Christian University
01
Best Agricultural School
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
01
Best Public School
Rogers State University
01

East Central University
01

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
01

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
01

University of Central Oklahoma

 

What You Should Know About Graduating From College in Oklahoma

When choosing where you’d like to attend college, it’s important to understand your career potential and opportunities in that state. As of October 2021, the top five industries that employ the most people in Oklahoma were government; trade, transportation, and utilities; goods-producing; education and health services; and professional and business services.

In Oklahoma, the five fastest-growing careers that require job seekers to hold a bachelor’s degree are information security analysts, athletic trainers, medical and health services managers, geoscientists, and financial examiners.

Companies in a variety of industries hold a position on the list of the top 150 largest employers in Oklahoma. These employers include Oklahoma State University, American Airlines, Altus Air Force Base, Winstar World Casino, and Mercy Hospital of Oklahoma City.

What’s Next?

When you’re looking for a college in Oklahoma, there are a number of financial aid options to consider that may help cover the cost of undergraduate tuition. This list includes federal and state resources, such as grants, scholarships, and other aid opportunities, available to you in Oklahoma.

  • Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education provides information about financial aid options, state scholarships, loans, and deadlines to apply.
  • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, provides students with more than $120 billion in aid per year. Assistance can include grants and scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. Check your eligibility for aid at FAFSA4Caster. If you’re eligible, apply via the online FAFSA form.
  • CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is a comprehensive database of grants and scholarships available in every state. Aid can be filtered by state and level of study. Each scholarship and grant includes requirements, award amount, and information about how to apply.