Best Colleges in Oklahoma

Northeastern State University was established in 1846 as the Cherokee Nation Female Seminary, making it the oldest higher education institution in Oklahoma. Today, the school delivers comprehensive, coeducational academic programs that include 54 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees.

First-year applicants need a minimum 2.7 GPA and 20 or higher on the ACT (or the SAT equivalent). Transfer candidates need at least a 1.7 GPA if they have 29 or fewer credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA if they possess 30 or more credits. To enroll as a graduate student, applicants need a minimum 2.5 GPA and adequate GRE/GMAT/MAT results.

NSU offers bachelor's degrees in fields like applied physics, health organizations administration, media studies, and special education (mild to moderate disorders). The university also delivers a variety of Cherokee and indingenous studies programs, with majors centered on history, education, and cultural restoration. Graduate offerings include a master of accounting and financial analysis that prepares students for careers as public accountants and corporate controllers. NSU also delivers online master's programs through Blackboard.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Weatherford and serves over 5,200 students annually. Bachelor's candidates pick from majors like engineering technology, health information management, and kinesiology. The university also offers a variety of pre-professional programs, with tracks in optometry, occupational therapy, and communication sciences and disorders. Alternatively, learners can design their own interdisciplinary major by synthesizing coursework from three fields of study.

First-year applicants need to possess a minimum 2.7 GPA, rank in the top 50% of their high school class, and score at least 20 on the ACT or 940 on the SAT.

Established in 1901 as a teacher training school, SWOSU carries on this tradition by providing a variety of education programs. Graduate-level education students can earn a general master's degree that prepares them for initial state licensure. Alternatively, they may pursue credentials in areas like social sciences and special education, which lead to advanced state certification or endorsement. Furthermore, SWOSU delivers a 30-credit MBA program accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Southern Nazarene University is a private liberal arts institution based in Bethany. The school offers traditional undergraduate programs in fields like network engineering, youth ministry, biochemistry, and graphic design. Students can also pursue a bachelor of science in business administration that emphasizes ethics as a key tool for decision making. For working professionals, SNU offers flexible degree options that candidates may complete online through Moodle or by taking classes on campus one night a week.

Graduate programs cover areas like healthcare administration, exercise science, and sport management. Students can earn a master of counseling psychology that offers concentrations in marriage and family therapy, applied research, and drug and alcohol abuse. SNU also offers a doctor of education in administration and leadership. This 57-credit program uses a cohort structure that prioritizes collaborative learning. Graduate admission requirements differ by program, but candidates generally need to hold a regionally accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Located in Tulsa, Oral Roberts University enrolls about 4,000 students in over 80 academic programs, including bachelor's tracks in international business and ministry, translation and interpretation, and biomedical chemistry. Learners may also enroll in a global environmental sustainability program that enables them to work as conservation biologists and forest ecologists. Additionally, the university offers a bachelor of convergence journalism, which prepares candidates to gather and produce information for a variety of media platforms.

Graduate programs include master's tracks in nursing, school administration, professional counseling, and practical theology. Students can also obtain a leadership-oriented MBA that covers crucial topics like competitive business intelligence and global management strategies. In addition to affordable campus-based academics, ORU offers many of its undergraduate and graduate programs online through Desire2Learn.

The first-year and transfer application processes take only three days. ORU requires candidates to submit ACT/SAT scores. Graduate applicants need regionally accredited baccalaureate credentials and a 2.5-3.25 minimum GPA, depending on the program.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a comprehensive public institution with a main campus in Alva and satellite locations in Enid and Woodward. Incoming first-year students need to rank in the top 50% of their high school class, hold a minimum 2.7 GPA, and have minimum ACT or SAT scores of 20 or 1020. Transfer applicants must possess at least a 2.0 GPA. The university charges tuition prices based on residency status and program type. Financial aid opportunities include departmental scholarships for fine arts and mass communication students.

NWOSU offers bachelor's programs in fields like technical management, social work, agricultural education, and history/global studies. Students can also earn a business administration degree and augment their curriculum with a minor like marketing or entrepreneurial management. For learners who prefer distance education, the university facilitates fully online programs through Blackboard.

Graduate programs at NWOSU include four master's programs in education, general psychology, counseling psychology, and American studies. Graduate candidates can also earn a doctor of nursing practice that focuses on rural healthcare; this 73-credit BSN-to-DNP track is delivered through a hybrid learning model.

Based in Lawton, Cameron University was founded in 1908 as an agricultural high school. Today, the institution provides over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. Bachelor's candidates can pick from majors like engineering, elementary education, and organizational leadership. They may also enroll in an agriculture program, which offers a generalist track and concentrations in agronomy, animal science, and agribusiness management. CU also offers pre-professional and adult degree completion tracks.

Graduate programs cover fields like educational leadership, organizational leadership, and behavioral science. Students can also earn a master of business administration that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. This 45-credit program enables candidates to pursue their credentials on campus or online through asynchronous classes delivered by Blackboard.

To enroll as a first-year student, applicants need either a minimum 3.0 GPA or a 20 or higher score on the ACT (or 1020 on the SAT). Graduate admission requirements vary by program, but generally include a minimum 3.0 GPA. CU offers low tuition rates and a variety of financial aid, such as the Wyatt F. and Mattie M. Jeltz Memorial Scholarship for minority students.

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City enrolls about 5,700 learners in over 40 undergraduate programs. The institution also facilitates dual enrollment for high school students, allowing individuals to jumpstart their college education by taking free classes on campus. To participate, juniors need at least a 3.5 GPA and seniors need a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The school's academic catalog contains associate programs for high-need occupations related to areas like legal case management, construction technology, and cardiovascular sonography. Students can earn an enterprise development degree that helps them cultivate the skills needed to conceive and operate their own businesses. OSU-OKC also delivers a variety of programs for prospective first responders, including police science, firefighting, and paramedicine.

Bachelor's candidates can enroll in a public safety management program. This 120-credit degree teaches participants program development and multi-agency collaboration skills to effectively lead in an all-hazards environment. Learners can earn their bachelor's by taking traditional classes or online courses facilitated by Canvas. OSU-OKC is an open-admission campus.

Oklahoma Wesleyan University is based in Bartlesville and serves about 1,200 students. The institution delivers over 50 residential undergraduate programs. Degree options include digital cinema, criminal justice, financial economics, and Christian leadership and apologetics. Nurse generalists can advance their careers by earning a bachelor of science in nursing that covers topics like ethical decision making and healthcare informatics. The university also delivers a variety of education/teacher training programs that hold accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

In lieu of on-campus classes, students can earn their credentials online through Blackboard Learn. Distance options include five bachelor's and four master's programs; latter offerings cover fields like nursing, education, and business administration. Distance learners can also enroll in a 33-credit strategic leadership program.

First-year applicants submit a free online application and furnish ACT or SAT scores. Graduate candidates generally need at least a 3.0 GPA. On top of affordable tuition rates, OKWU offers ample financial aid opportunities that include scaling academic scholarships based on GPA and standardized test results.

Southwestern Christian University was founded in 1946 as a Bible school and junior college. Today, the institution offers comprehensive academics that include bachelor's programs in intercultural studies, music technology, psychology, and history. Students can also earn an early childhood development education degree that leads to initial teacher certification. Additionally, the university offers three graduate programs in ministry, global Christian leadership, and theological studies.

For working professionals, SCU delivers flexible evening programs, such as a bachelor of human services that prepares graduates for entry-level jobs in child and family welfare services. They can also enroll in a graduate-level counseling program. Online coursework is delivered through Canvas, and distance learners can complete some programs by taking accelerated, seven-week classes.

To qualify for standard admission, first-year applicants need to fulfill two out of three requirements. Criteria include a minimum 2.0 GPA, a class rank in the upper half of their high school class, and/or a minimum 19 or 900 on the ACT or SAT.

Located in Claremont, Rogers State University provides affordable and career-relevant academics to students of all backgrounds. The university holds articulation agreements with local community colleges, allowing associate graduates to seamlessly complete their bachelor's degrees. Undergraduate students undergo a holistic evaluation process that does not include strict GPA or SAT/ACT minimums. Graduate applicants must possess a minimum 3.0 GPA but do not need to furnish GRE or GMAT scores.

Learners at RSU can pursue undergraduate majors in areas like military history, visual arts, and community counseling. The university also offers a business information technology program with concentrations in computer network administration and software/game development. Additionally, RSU provides a bachelor of science in nursing that candidates may complete through a traditional track or an accelerated RN-to-BSN format.

The university offers one graduate program: a 36-credit, fully online master of business administration. By taking eight-week classes, MBA candidates can obtain their credentials in 18 months.