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.

  • $8,970 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 2020-21 school year.

  • $14,940 FINANCIAL AID PER U.S. STUDENT

    The average full-time undergraduate student received this sum in financial aid during the 2019-20 school year, according to College Board.

Our Research

This list provides an overview of some of the best colleges in Oklahoma. We reviewed a variety of college types, from liberal arts schools to major research universities. Reviews are based on key criteria such as the cost to attend, forms of coursework offered (in-person or online), and the number of credits needed to graduate.

Only accredited colleges are included in our review. The accreditation process helps ensure that an institution upholds high standards for providing a quality education. The majority of colleges on our list are accredited by the regional Higher Learning Commission, which oversees post-secondary education standards for Oklahoma and the central U.S.

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 71 hours to write this article
  • 165 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 297 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Colleges in Oklahoma

Best Colleges In Oklahoma
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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 2020, the top five industries that employ the most people in Oklahoma were government; trade, transportation, and utilities; goods-producing services; 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 operations research analysts, software developers, athletic trainers, market research analysts/marketing specialists, and actuaries.

Companies in a variety of industries hold a position on the list of the top 50 largest employers in Oklahoma. The biggest is Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, which employs an estimated 12,000 people. Some of the other major employers in the state include 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.