Oklahoma’s best colleges for 2027 are the University of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa, and Oklahoma State University. Oklahoma has a strong oil sector, and several colleges offer well-respected engineering programs. The state is also home to large public and private research universities, midsize colleges, and small liberal arts colleges.

The state capital is Oklahoma City, and the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas host most of the colleges below. If you are looking at neighbouring states, see our guides to the best colleges in Arkansas and the best colleges in Louisiana. Read the University Magazine rankings methodology and see our university rankings for context.

The Best Colleges In Oklahoma 2027

 

1. University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma was established in 1890 and is anchored in Norman. In fall 2024, it enrolled 34,523 students, 30,873 on the Norman campus, with the Health Sciences Center and Tulsa making up the rest. It is an R1 research university with 15 colleges and 174 majors.

The university’s endowment stood at $1.81 billion in fiscal 2024. Bizzell Memorial Library states it is the largest research university in the state, and the campus also holds the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, and the National Weather Center. The Sooners compete in NCAA Division I football in the Southeastern Conference.

 

2. The University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa began as a Presbyterian school for Native girls founded in 1882, became Henry Kendall College in 1894, and adopted its current name in 1920. It enrolled 3,769 students in 2024, 2,647 of them undergraduates, and is classified R2 for research.

Four colleges include the Collins College of Business, the Oxley College of Health and Natural Sciences, and the College of Law. U.S. News ranked Tulsa 179th among national universities and 90th for best value in 2025, and its petroleum engineering graduate program ranked sixth. Once Presbyterian, it is now nondenominational. The Golden Hurricane compete in the American Conference.

 

3. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University was founded on December 25, 1890, as Oklahoma A&M and is a land-grant university in Stillwater. It enrolled 27,241 students in fall 2024 and holds the R1 research designation. Its colleges include Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, and Education and Human Sciences.

The OSU system also includes Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, which was established in 1946, along with OSU-Oklahoma City, OSU-Tulsa, and the Center for Health Sciences. Together, the system enrolls more than 34,000 students. The Cowboys and Cowgirls compete in NCAA Division I in the Big 12 Conference.

 

4. Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University began in 1904 as Epworth University and is a United Methodist school on a 104-acre urban campus. It enrolls about 2,748 students across eight colleges and schools plus a seminary, including the School of Law, the Meinders School of Business, and the Wanda L. Bass School of Music.

Voice professor Florence Birdwell mentored Tony winners Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hara. Future nurses can look at the Kramer School of Nursing. The Stars compete in the NAIA, mainly in the Sooner Athletic Conference. Robert Harlan Henry, a former U.S. Circuit Judge, served as the 17th president, and alumnus Enoch Kelly Haney became Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation.

 

5. Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts University was chartered in 1963 and opened in 1965 in Tulsa. It is an evangelical school with a Charismatic Christian emphasis. Enrollment reached 6,213 in 2025, the first time it passed 6,000, and six colleges offer more than 70 undergraduate and 20 graduate programs.

In 2021, the Golden Eagles, a No. 15 seed, beat Ohio State and Florida to reach the Sweet Sixteen of the men’s basketball tournament. They compete in NCAA Division I in The Summit League. Alumni include broadcaster Kathie Lee Gifford and songwriter Ryan Tedder. Other alumni include singer Kari Jobe and former U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, and the campus spreads over more than 300 acres.

 

6. Mid-America Christian University

Mid-America Christian University started on September 14, 1953, as the South Texas Bible Institute in Houston and moved to Oklahoma City in 1985. It is an agency of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), holds Higher Learning Commission accreditation, and enrolls about 2,558 students on a 65-acre campus.

More than 60 courses of study run through twelve academic schools. A FastTrack option started in 2019 lets students earn an undergraduate degree plus an MBA or a Master of Arts in Leadership in five years. The Evangels compete in the NAIA, and the men’s basketball team won the 2016 NAIA national championship.

 

7. Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University was created in 1901 as Southwestern Normal School, with classes beginning in 1903. The main campus is in Weatherford, and a second campus in Sayre joined in 1987. Enrollment is about 5,200 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1.

The School of Pharmacy dates to the World War II expansion. SWOSU offers 38 bachelor’s, 7 associate, 6 master’s, and 1 doctoral degree. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division II in the Great American Conference, which they joined in 2012-13. The Sayre campus began as a junior college in 1938. That brings the total to 52 degree programs across all levels.

 

8. Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University was founded on March 6, 1909, and traces its roots to the Cherokee National Female Seminary, which the Cherokee Nation founded in 1851. The main campus is in Tahlequah, with sites in Muskogee and Broken Arrow. It enrolled 6,642 students in fall 2024.

About a quarter of students identify as American Indian, and NSU offers Cherokee language education as a major. The College of Optometry opened in 1979. The RiverHawks play NCAA Division II, mainly in the MIAA, and the men’s basketball team won the 2003 Division II national championship. Tahlequah is also the capital of the Cherokee Nation, and the university motto is written in Cherokee. The Broken Arrow campus opened in 2002 with about 1,000 students.

 

9. Oklahoma Baptist University

Oklahoma Baptist University was incorporated on February 9, 1910, and is owned by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. The campus covers roughly 200 acres in Shawnee. It enrolled 1,514 students in fall 2023 and has 113 faculty.

The College of Fine Arts is a highlight, and the Oklahoma City campus offers two graduate degrees. Heath Thomas has served as president since January 2020. The Bison wear green and gold and compete in NCAA Division II in the Great American Conference, where they have played since 2015-16. It was first called The Baptist University of Oklahoma, and its endowment was about $140 million in 2019.

 

10. East Central University

East Central University opened in 1909 as East Central State Normal School and took its current name in 1985. The campus is in Ada, with courses in McAlester, Shawnee, Durant, and online. More than 3,500 students study across 70 degree programs.

Programs include the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business and a School of Nursing. Its Environmental Health Science program is one of about 30 nationally accredited programs. The Tigers compete in NCAA Division II in the Great American Conference, and the football team won the 1993 NAIA national title. Before 1985, it was East Central Oklahoma State University. The athletic department sponsors 13 sports, six for men and seven for women.

 

11. Southern Nazarene University

Southern Nazarene University is a Church of the Nazarene school on a 200-acre campus in Bethany. It began in 1899 and has used its current name since 1986. In total, 2,110 students attend, 1,656 are undergraduates, and adult programs have run in Tulsa since 1990.

The university has been accredited by the North Central Association since 1956 and has an on-campus equestrian center. Its motto is Character, Culture, Christ. The Crimson Storm field 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II and has been in the Great American Conference since 2012-13. Before 1986, it was Bethany Nazarene College; earlier names include Oklahoma Holiness College and Bethany-Peniel College.

 

12. University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma was established on December 24, 1890, as the Territorial Normal School, and classes began in 1891. It is the state’s second-oldest public institution. In fall 2025, it enrolled 12,382 students in Edmond, 10,824 of them undergraduates.

Its six colleges include Fine Arts and Design, the Jackson College of Graduate Studies, and a Forensic Science Institute. The American branch of the Academy of Contemporary Music operates in downtown Oklahoma City. Teacher training is part of its roots, so see the states that pay teachers the least. The Bronchos play NCAA Division II. The women’s rowing team has won back-to-back NCAA Division II championships.

 

13. Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University opened on June 14, 1909, as Southeastern State Normal School, and is located in Durant, nicknamed the Campus of a Thousand Magnolias. Enrollment was 6,012 in fall 2025. It is part of the Regional University System of Oklahoma.

Three schools cover arts and sciences, business, and education and behavioural science. The aviation program is authorized by the FAA to let students finish in 1,000 hours instead of the usual 1,500. The Savage Storm compete in NCAA Division II in the Great American Conference, and rodeo is among its sports. Athletics also include baseball, football, tennis, golf, softball, and volleyball, in blue and gold.

 

14. University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma was founded on May 16, 1908, and is located in Chickasha. It is the state’s only public college with a strictly liberal arts curriculum and belongs to the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Enrollment is roughly 800-1,000 undergraduates.

Founded as a women’s school, it became coeducational in 1965. The Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor have accredited it since 1920, and the campus was listed as a national historic district in 2001 with 14 contributing buildings. The Drovers compete in the NAIA, mainly in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

 

15. Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Northwestern Oklahoma State University was founded in 1897 as the Northwestern Territorial Normal School. The main campus is in Alva, with additional campuses in Enid and Woodward. It is part of the Regional University System of Oklahoma, and its motto is Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow.

Enrollment was 1,789 in 2021. The campus natural history museum is the second oldest in the state. The Rangers wear red and black and field 16 varsity teams in NCAA Division II, mainly in the Great American Conference, where they became full members in 2015-16. It competed in NAIA conferences before joining the Great American Conference as a provisional member in 2012-13.

 

16. Cameron University

Cameron University was established in 1908, with first classes held on November 16, 1909. It is a public university in Lawton, southwest Oklahoma, and enrolled 3,696 students in fall 2024, 3,307 of whom were undergraduates.

Cameron offers more than 50 degrees and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. C. Shane Hunt became president in 2025. The Aggies compete in NCAA Division II, primarily in the Lone Star Conference. Fall 2024 enrollment also included 389 graduate students. The school was authorized in 1908 and held its first classes the following year, giving it more than a century of history.

 

17. Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Oklahoma Panhandle State University opened in 1909 as Pan-Handle Agricultural Institute and is based in Goodwell. About 1,720 students study there, and agriculture degrees prepare graduates for the region’s cattle, horse, hog, and farming industries.

Rodeo is a point of pride: the men’s team has won national titles in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2013, 2017, and 2018. The Aggies field 18 varsity sports in the NAIA, mainly in the Sooner Athletic Conference since 2017-18. Franklin Hall, the oldest campus building, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The school took its current name in 1974 and was earlier called Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College. Its parent institution is the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges.

 

18. Oklahoma Christian University

Members of the Churches of Christ founded Oklahoma Christian University in 1950 as Central Christian College in Bartlesville. It moved to Oklahoma City in 1958 and took its current name in 1996. Fall 2020 enrollment was 2,153, including 1,700 undergraduates.

An honours program admits students by interview, and students can study abroad for a semester in Vienna, Austria. The university has sponsored The Christian Chronicle since 1981. The Eagles field 15 varsity sports in NCAA Division II and have played in the Lone Star Conference since 2019-20. From 1990 to 1996, it was called Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts, and 94 full-time faculty teach there.

 

19. Langston University

Langston University was founded in 1897 as the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University and renamed in 1941. It is Oklahoma’s only historically Black college and a public land-grant school. About 1,873 students attend, with centers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Named for civil rights pioneer John Mercer Langston, the university has six schools and offers 30 undergraduate and six graduate degree programs. Langston opened a law school in 1948 after Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher was denied admission to the University of Oklahoma’s law school. The Lions compete in the NAIA’s Sooner Athletic Conference. Langston is listed as a Carnegie research college and university as of March 2025.

 

20. Rogers State University

Rogers State University opened in 1909 as Eastern University Preparatory School, reopened in 1919 as the Oklahoma Military Academy, and became a four-year university in 2000. The main campus is in Claremore, with branches in Bartlesville and Pryor. About 3,200 students attend.

It offers 22 bachelor’s, 12 associate, and 5 master’s degrees, and some are available online. The Hillcats play NCAA Division II, and the softball team won the 2022 national championship. Students also run the KRSC radio station and the KRSU-TV television station. Hunter the Hillcat is the mascot. The school celebrated its centennial in 2009, the same year the men’s basketball team earned its first No. 1 ranking while playing in the NAIA.

 

21. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Oklahoma Wesleyan University began in 1905 as Rocky Mountain Missionary and Evangelistic School in Colorado Springs and moved to Bartlesville in 1958. It is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church and took its current name in August 2001. Enrollment ranges from about 900 to 1,200.

It has gone through several names, including Colorado Springs Bible College and Bartlesville Wesleyan College. The Eagles field 19 varsity sports in the NAIA, mainly in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference since 2015-16, and also compete in the NCCAA. Before that, the Eagles played in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference from 1994-95 to 2014-15, and the campus has a Wesleyan Church heritage.

 

22. Spartan Colleges of Aeronautics and Technology – Tulsa. Tulsa oilman William G. Skelly established 

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology on September 27, 1928. The main campus sits next to Tulsa International Airport, and a flight training campus is at Tulsa Riverside Airport. It is a private, for-profit aviation college.

Tulsa programs include aviation maintenance technology, aviation electronics, nondestructive testing, and flight, plus a bachelor’s completion program in technology management. The Tulsa campus is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. During World War II, it trained Royal Air Force and Inter-American aviation mechanics. J. Paul Getty’s interests acquired it in 1935.

 

23. Randall University

Randall University is a private Christian college in Moore, founded in 1917 and associated with the Free Will Baptists. It is a member of the Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities and is accredited by TRACS.

The Saints and Lady Saints field six varsity teams that compete in the ACCA and the NCCAA. Men play baseball, basketball, and soccer, and women play basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Enrollment was 365 in 2015, making it one of the smallest colleges on the list. Randall appeals to students who want a small Christian campus in the Oklahoma City area, in the suburb of Moore just south of the city.

 

24. Southwestern Christian University

Southwestern Christian University began in 1946 as Southwestern Bible College in Oklahoma City and is described as the state’s first Pentecostal educational institution. It is affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and has been in Bethany since the early 1980s.

It became Southwestern College of Christian Ministries in 1981 and took its current name in 2001. The Higher Learning Commission accredits it, and it offers a Master of Ministry. The Eagles compete in the NAIA, mainly in the Sooner Athletic Conference since 2013-14, in 13 varsity sports. It was Southwestern Bible College from 1946 to 1981. The school colours are blue and white.

 

25. Oral Roberts University Online

Oral Roberts University Online lets students earn an ORU degree from anywhere. It lists 66 programs, about 44 at the undergraduate level, including bachelor’s degrees and 14 certificates, and about 22 at the graduate level, including 4 doctoral and 10 master’s degrees.

Courses have no weekly meeting times or days, so students can fit study around work and family. ORU reports 17 years of consecutive enrollment growth and students from 160 nations. A new term starts in January, and the programs carry the same evangelical, Charismatic Christian emphasis as the Tulsa campus. Offerings range from certificates to doctorates, so working adults can enter at any level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best colleges in Oklahoma in 2027?

The University of Oklahoma, The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University, and Oral Roberts University lead this University Magazine list for 2027.

What is the largest university in Oklahoma?

The University of Oklahoma is the largest on this list, with 34,523 students in fall 2024. Oklahoma State University had 27,241 that fall, and the University of Central Oklahoma had 12,382 in fall 2025.

Which Oklahoma college is a historically Black college?

Langston University, founded in 1897, is Oklahoma’s only historically Black college. It is a public land-grant school.

Which Oklahoma colleges play in the SEC and the Big 12?

The University of Oklahoma Sooners compete in the Southeastern Conference, and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Cowgirls compete in the Big 12 Conference.

Which Oklahoma college is a public liberal arts college?

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha is the only public college in the state with a strictly liberal arts curriculum.

Where can I study aviation in Oklahoma?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa offers aviation maintenance, avionics, and flight training, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant has an aviation program.

 

Top 25 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2027: Ranked List

1. University of Oklahoma
2. The University of Tulsa
3. Oklahoma State University
4. Oklahoma City University
5. Oral Roberts University
6. Mid-America Christian University
7. Southwestern Oklahoma State University
8. Northeastern State University
9. Oklahoma Baptist University
10. East Central University
11. Southern Nazarene University
12. University of Central Oklahoma
13. Southeastern Oklahoma State University
14. University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
15. Northwestern Oklahoma State University
16. Cameron University
17. Oklahoma Panhandle State University
18. Oklahoma Christian University
19. Langston University
20. Rogers State University
21. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
22. Spartan Colleges of Aeronautics and Technology – Tulsa
23. Randall University
24. Southwestern Christian University
25. Oral Roberts University Online

 

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