Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Oklahoma provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
10 Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma
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.
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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?
- 4 Research Universities
- 22 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 6 Graduate Schools
- 15 Public Colleges & Universities
- 11 Private Colleges & Universities
- 11 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 22 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 19 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 12 Community Colleges
- 18 Online Colleges
Oklahoma’s Best Overall
What is the difference between public and private colleges?
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 15 public universities in Oklahoma. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Oklahoma, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.
Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2022
- #1 Best Research Universities in Oklahoma 2023 #1 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #1 Best Grad Schools in Oklahoma 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
76%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/26
What is University of Oklahoma known for?
University of Oklahoma’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Oklahoma 2023 #3 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
66%
Student body
21K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/24
What is Oklahoma State University–Stillwater known for?
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater’s Online Degrees
BS in Early Child Care And Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #5 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
37%
Student body
11K
What is University of Central Oklahoma known for?
University of Central Oklahoma’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- Business
- Law
- History
- Sociology
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
University of Central Oklahoma’s Online Degrees
BBA in General Business
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Human Resources Management
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Marketing
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Applied Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #8 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
39%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1040/20
What is Northeastern State University known for?
Northeastern State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #5 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #9 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
39%
Student body
4K
What is Southwestern Oklahoma State University known for?
Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Health Information Management
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #6 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #10 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
19%
Student body
2K
What is Langston University known for?
Langston University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #7 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
31%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
960/21
What is East Central University known for?
East Central University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Social Work
- Business
- History
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Literature
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
East Central University’s Online Degrees
BA in Criminal Justice Policy
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Human Services Counseling
Degree Concentrations
- Aging
- Counseling
- Rehabilitation
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Kinesiology
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma 2023 #8 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
30%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
985/20
What is Southeastern Oklahoma State University known for?
Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Education
- Business
- Biology
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Communications
- History
- Literature
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Online Degrees
BBA in General Business
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Management
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Marketing
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Occupational Safety And Health
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Organizational And Strategic Communication
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Recreation Sports Management
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Information Systems
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Intervention And Childhood Development
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English Language Learning
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
27%
Student body
3K
What is Cameron University known for?
Cameron University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Cameron University’s Online Degrees
BBA in General Business
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Management
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Leadership
Degree Concentrations
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Technology
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
30%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
960/19
What is Northwestern Oklahoma State University known for?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Biology
- History
- Sociology
- Literature
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Medical
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Online Degrees
BBA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAAS in Applied Arts And Sciences
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
25%
Student body
3K
What is Rogers State University known for?
Rogers State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- History
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Engineering
- Political Science
- Education
- Physics
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Rogers State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Leadership
Degree Concentrations
- Business
- Liberal
- Social Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BT in Applied Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Cybersecurity And Information Assurance
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Arts
Degree Concentrations
- English
- Global Humanities
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
26%
Student body
1K
What is Oklahoma Panhandle State University known for?
Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Agribusiness
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
39%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
900/16
What is University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma known for?
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
40%
Student body
2K
What is Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology known for?
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
27%
Student body
4K
What is Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City known for?
Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Oklahoma’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.
- University of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
- Langston University
- University of Central Oklahoma
- University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
- Rogers State University
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University
- East Central University
- Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City
- Cameron University
- Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
- Northwestern Oklahoma State University
- Northeastern State University
- Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.
