Best Research Universities in Oklahoma 2024
Interested in attending a STEM school in Oklahoma? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.
Best Research Universities in Oklahoma 2024
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Tulsa
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
- Oklahoma City University
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Tulsa
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
- Oklahoma City University
- University of Oklahoma 73%
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater 71%
- Oklahoma City University 70%
- University of Tulsa 69%
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater 18 to 1
- University of Oklahoma 16 to 1
- University of Tulsa 10 to 1
- Oklahoma City University 9 to 1
- University of Tulsa $47,211
- Oklahoma City University $32,744
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater $5,417
- University of Oklahoma $4,920
- University of Tulsa $25,002
- Oklahoma City University $10,620
- University of Oklahoma $8,034
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater $5,611
- Oklahoma City University
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
- University of Tulsa
- University of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City University
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
- University of Tulsa
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Tulsa 69%
- Oklahoma City University 70%
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater 71%
- University of Oklahoma 73%
- Oklahoma City University 9 to 1
- University of Tulsa 10 to 1
- University of Oklahoma 16 to 1
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater 18 to 1
- University of Oklahoma $4,920
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater $5,417
- Oklahoma City University $32,744
- University of Tulsa $47,211
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater $5,611
- University of Oklahoma $8,034
- Oklahoma City University $10,620
- University of Tulsa $25,002
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
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 4 research universities in Oklahoma. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
Best Research Universities in Oklahoma 2023
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Oklahoma 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #1 Cheapest Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
- #4 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
- #9 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025
- #12 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
76%
Student body
32K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/26
Career Outlook for degree at University of Oklahoma
Cost of Degree: $9,312Expenses: $23,361Starting Salary: $61,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Oklahoma known for?
University of Oklahoma’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
72%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1214/25
Career Outlook for degree at University of Tulsa
Cost of Degree: $46,676Expenses: $18,396Starting Salary: $60,500Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Tulsa known for?
University of Tulsa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Cheapest Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Oklahoma 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2024
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
- #5 Accelerated Online Business Administration PhD Programs (Doctorates)
- #10 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma
- #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2025
- #14 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
65%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/23
Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
Cost of Degree: $10,110Expenses: $15,970Starting Salary: $55,300Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #2 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #4 Best Grad Schools in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
69%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma City University
Cost of Degree: $32,744Expenses: $13,736Starting Salary: $51,100Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Oklahoma City University known for?
Oklahoma City University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Find the Best Research Universities in Oklahoma for Your Area of Interest
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 research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.