Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2024

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST IN OKLAHOMA LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham

Published: May 3, 2021
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Oklahoma offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma

University of Central Oklahoma
Oral Roberts University
Oklahoma Christian University
Northeastern State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Langston University
East Central University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Bacone College

Oral Roberts University
University of Central Oklahoma
Langston University
Northeastern State University
Oklahoma Christian University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Bacone College
Cameron University
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Northeastern State University 99%
Oklahoma Christian University 96%
Oral Roberts University 78%
Southwestern Oklahoma State University 77%
Southeastern Oklahoma State University 74%
East Central University 70%
University of Central Oklahoma 70%
Northwestern Oklahoma State University 56%
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 56%
Oklahoma Wesleyan University 52%

Southeastern Oklahoma State University 22 to 1
Langston University 20 to 1
Southwestern Oklahoma State University 18 to 1
Cameron University 17 to 1
East Central University 17 to 1
Oklahoma Panhandle State University 17 to 1
Northeastern State University 17 to 1
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City 17 to 1
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology 17 to 1
Oral Roberts University 17 to 1

Oklahoma Baptist University $32,880
Oral Roberts University $32,640
Oklahoma Wesleyan University $30,262
Southern Nazarene University $28,600
Oklahoma Christian University $25,148
Southwestern Christian University $21,316
Mid-America Christian University $18,838
Randall University $16,742
Bacone College $15,060
University of Central Oklahoma $7,026

Southern Nazarene University $27,000
Mid-America Christian University $14,485
Oral Roberts University $11,623
Oklahoma Christian University $11,250
Oklahoma Baptist University $9,900
Oklahoma Wesleyan University $9,900
Randall University $8,910
Southwestern Christian University $7,758
University of Central Oklahoma $7,356
Southwestern Oklahoma State University $6,516

Mid-America Christian University
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Southwestern Christian University
Randall University
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Rogers State University
Southern Nazarene University
Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Mid-America Christian University
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Randall University
Southwestern Christian University
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Rogers State University

Randall University 43%
Oklahoma Baptist University 47%
Oklahoma Wesleyan University 52%
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 56%
Northwestern Oklahoma State University 56%
University of Central Oklahoma 70%
East Central University 70%
Southeastern Oklahoma State University 74%
Southwestern Oklahoma State University 77%
Oral Roberts University 78%

Randall University 9 to 1
Southern Nazarene University 12 to 1
Southwestern Christian University 12 to 1
Mid-America Christian University 13 to 1
Oklahoma Baptist University 15 to 1
Bacone College 15 to 1
Oklahoma Wesleyan University 15 to 1
Oklahoma Christian University 15 to 1
Rogers State University 16 to 1
University of Central Oklahoma 16 to 1

Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City $3,119
Oklahoma Panhandle State University $3,840
Langston University $4,429
Rogers State University $4,536
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology $4,574
Cameron University $5,025
Northwestern Oklahoma State University $5,448
East Central University $6,001
Northeastern State University $6,285
Southeastern Oklahoma State University $6,420

Langston University $3,422
Cameron University $3,762
Rogers State University $4,316
East Central University $4,555
Southeastern Oklahoma State University $4,734
Northeastern State University $4,802
Northwestern Oklahoma State University $4,928
Oklahoma Panhandle State University $5,520
Southwestern Oklahoma State University $6,516
University of Central Oklahoma $7,356

Table of Contents

Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma

Less than half of the schools in Oklahoma are private schools. However, students who attend one these schools can expect a more intimate college experience, as each has a student population smaller than 4,000 students. The largest private school, the University of Tulsa, offers degrees in fields like education, criminal justice, and literature, with tuition fees around $41,000. The public schools tend to be more cost-friendly, with tuition ranging from $4,000 to $9,000 per year.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

The University of Oklahoma, the state’s largest public school, costs about $9,000 and serves over 24,000 students. Here, students can partake in competitive on-campus programs in fields like communications and social work, or pursue one of the 30 graduate degrees and certificates online. Oklahoma is also home to several religiously affiliated schools, like Oral Roberts University and Bacone College. Students hoping to pursue a career as a physician, physician’s assistant, or dentist may also want to consider earning their degree here as the state offers several loan forgiveness programs to those who qualify.

The state of Oklahoma is serious about its food - so serious they even declared an official state meal, which consists of fried okra, cornbread, barbecue pork, squash, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken fried steak, black-eyed peas, and pecan pie. Those hoping to feed both their bellies and their minds can attend one of Oklahoma’s more than 40 colleges and universities.

To learn more about earning your degree in Oklahoma, check out some of the state’s top programs.

What are Oklahoma’s Colleges & Universities?

Oklahoma’s Best Overall

How do we determine Oklahoma's best liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 22 liberal arts colleges in Oklahoma. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in Oklahoma, schools must fully accredited institutions.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023

Build your own college rankings

Oklahoma’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2024

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma

Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma

What are Oklahoma’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of Central Oklahoma

Most Influential Alumni

University of Central Oklahoma’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Oral Roberts University

Most Influential Alumni

Oral Roberts University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma Christian University

Most Influential Alumni

Oklahoma Christian University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Northeastern State University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Most Influential Alumni

Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Langston University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at East Central University

Most Influential Alumni

East Central University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Most Influential Alumni

Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma Baptist University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Bacone College

Most Influential Alumni

Bacone College’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Cameron University

Most Influential Alumni

Cameron University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Most Influential Alumni

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Southern Nazarene University

Most Influential Alumni

Southern Nazarene University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Rogers State University

Most Influential Alumni

Rogers State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Most Influential Alumni

Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Randall University

Career Outlook for degree at Southwestern Christian University

Southwestern Christian University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City

Career Outlook for degree at Mid-America Christian University

Mid-America Christian University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Oklahoma’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest