10 Best Colleges in Oklahoma

Overview

East Central University was founded in 1909 in Ada, Oklahoma by a teacher training school. The school was lobbied for by the 25,000 club and local community members. Today, it is a regional, public university with 135 acres. The city of Ada has a population of 16,000 people located about 90 miles from Oklahoma City, 115 miles from Tulsa and 150 miles from Dallas. Ada also serves as the headquarters of the Chickasaw nation located about 90 miles southeast of Oklahoma, City.

Features

East Central University offers 70 degree programs for 2,972 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 19-to-1. Nearly 73% of the classes have less than 30 students. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 80 student organizations. East Central University participates in NCAA Division II athletics. Top majors include:

• Nursing
• Business Administration and Management
• Human Services
• Biology
• Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies

Notables

On campus, there are many opportunities to keep fit, enjoy a social life or study. Most of these opportunities occur in the Bill S. Cole University Center. Inside the Cole Center, there is the Tommy Hewett, M.D. Wellness Center complete with racquetball courts, fitness and cardiovascular workout areas, indoor running track, aerobics area, indoor swimming pool and gymnasium. In another area, students also have access to a small movie theater, amphitheater and meeting rooms. But that is not all, throughout the Bill S. Cole University Center provides informational places to study, play or use the computer.

Overview

Northwestern Oklahoma State University history began in 1895 after the opening the Cherokee Outlet in Oklahoma territory legislature. Classes started in 1899 in Alva, Oklahoma. Today, they have campuses in 70-acres in Ada, Enid and Woodward. The university also has a 320-acre farm in Woods County. Alva, Oklahoma is a city with 6,000 residents in northwest Oklahoma 14 miles south of the Kansas border, 115 miles northwest of Oklahoma City and 100 miles southwest of Wichita, Kansas.

Features

Northwestern Oklahoma State University offers 40 majors for 1,974 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 14-to-1. Nearly 59% of the classes have less than 20 students. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 50 student organizations. Top majors include:

• Education
• Business Administration/ Accounting
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Criminal Justice

Notables

Three is plenty to do in and around Alva, Oklahoma. The campus community is close to the Little Sahara State Park, Alabaster Caverns, Great Salt Plains, Gloss Mountain, and the Waynoka Station & Harvey House. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails, shopping centers and more within a short drive of any of the campuses.

Overview

Southeastern Oklahoma State University was founded in 1909 in Durant, Oklahoma by the Second Oklahoma State Legislature to serve as a teacher training school for 12 counties. By 1974, the institution had expanded so much that it rebranded to today’s Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Today, Students can attend eight different locations, including a branch campus in McCurtain County. The main campus in Durant has 269 acres.

Features

Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers 38 majors for 3,212 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 17-to-1. Nearly 58% of the classes have less than 20 students. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 50 student organizations including has three fraternities, two sororities, and 4 honorary fraternities on campus. Southeastern Oklahoma State University participates in NCAA Division II athletics. Top majors include:

• Elementary Education
• Biology
• Occupational Safety & Health
• Psychology
• Health & Physical Education

Notables

Durant, Oklahoma is a growing community with a population of 15,000 in the southeastern part of Oklahoma – 15 miles from the Oklahoma-Texas border; 90 miles north of Dallas, Texas; 160 miles southeast of Oklahoma City; and 15 miles east of Lake Texoma. Lake Texoma is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world with over 580 miles of shoreline that provides recreational opportunities for the campus and the area community.

Overview

Southwestern Oklahoma State University was founded in 1901 in Weatherford, Oklahoma as a school for teachers by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature. By 1974, the college had grown so much that the school was rebranded as Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Today, they have campuses in Weatherford and Sayre, Oklahoma. The main campus in Weatherford has 80 acres.

Features

Southwestern Oklahoma State University offers over 50 degree programs for 34,358 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 20-to-1. Average class size is 23 students. Nearly 48% of the classes have less than 20 students. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 97 student organizations. Southwestern Oklahoma State University participates in NCAA Division II athletics. Top majors include:

• Nursing
• Liberal Arts and Humanities
• Business Administration and Management
• Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
• Elementary Education

Notables

If you are a foodie, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is the place to be. The meal plan covers over 30 local restaurants and campus dining options such as The University Grill, The Bulldog Beanery, The Yogurt Corner, and Duke’s Diner.

Overview

Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) was founded in 1909 in Goodwell, Oklahoma. It was rebranded to its current name in 1974. Today, it is a public, bachelor-degree-granting institution that feature an ‘all you can eat’ buffet with a salad bar, ice cream machine, pizza and prepared meals for all times of the day. The campus also features the No Man’s Land Museum that established in 1932 as a science department project. The campus has 120 acres in the panhandle area of the state.

Features

Oklahoma Panhandle State University offers 60 majors for 1,720 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 18-to-1. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 6 student organizations. Oklahoma Panhandle State University participates in NCAA Division II athletics. Top majors include:

• Liberal Arts & Humanities
• Nursing
• Biology
• Business Administration & Management
• Agricultural Business

Notables

OPSU is known for their men’s and women’s rodeo teams. The school is a member of the Central Plains Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and has won regional and national team championships in addition to numerous individual championships in the sport. For example, the OPSU Men’s Rodeo Team won national titles in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2013.

Overview

University of Central Oklahoma was founded in 1890 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Today, University of Central Oklahoma is the oldest institution of higher learning in Oklahoma with 210 park-like acres. UCO offers Oklahoma’s only master’s degree in Forensic Science and the only undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering. The College of Business Administration’s Professional Golf Management major is the only program like it in a six-state region.

Features

University of Central Oklahoma offers over 100 majors for 15,067 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 19-to-1. Nearly 37% of the classes have less than 20 students. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 200 student organizations with Greek Residential and honor life options. University of Central Oklahoma participates in NCAA Division II athletics. Top majors include:

• General Studies
• Business
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Finance

Notables

Edmond, Oklahoma is part of the northern part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. IT is located near two major highways: U.S. route 77 and Interstate 35. Even though Edmond is in the “Tornado Alley”, the city has been named as one of the Perfect Suburbs to live in by CNBC or Relocate America.

Overview

Bacone College was founded in 1880 in Muckogee, Oklahoma by Professor Almon C. Bacone and the American Baptist Home Mission Society to be a Cherokee Baptist Mission in Tahlequah, Indian Territory. Today, the college continues its commitment to education for all and serving the American Indian tribes through a cultural diverse community to develop intellectual and social skills from a Christian worldview.

Features

Bacone College offers over 15 majors for 861 undergraduate students on its 160-acre campus. Freshmen are required to live on campus. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 15-to-1. Outside the classroom, student have access to student organizations, career services, tutoring and intramurals. Bacone College participates in NAIA Division I athletics. Top majors include:

• Political & Criminal Science
• Business
• Nursing
• Kinesiology & Exercise Science
• Education

Notables

Bacone College has three centers that continues the mission of the college: The Center for American Indians that preserves the collections, coordinate with degree and cultural programs. The Center for Christian Ministry houses the broad umbrella for spiritual life opportunities on campus. The Center for Church Relationships maintains relationships with American churches to prepare leaders to assist in the degree and continuing education curricula.

Overview

Southern Nazarene University was founded in 1899 in Bethany, Oklahoma by Church of the Nazarene. It is one of 8 regional colleges affiliated with the church. The main campus has 44 acres in the northwest corner Oklahoma City near Historic Route 66.

Features

Southern Nazarene University offers over 50 majors for 1,700 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 15-to-1. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 25 student organizations. Southern Nazarene University participates in NAIA athletics. Top majors include:

• Organizational Behavior Studies
• Business
• Human Development
• Nursing
• Psychology

Notables

There are some great activities and places to see in the Bethany area include vising the OKC Museum of Art, go to the Penn Square Mall, visit the Paseo Arts Districts or see a concert at the Blue Door. For the best pizza in the area, locals eat at Hideaway Pizza. For the best Tex-Mex, head to Teds Café Escondido.

Overview

Rogers State University was founded in 1909 in Claremore, Oklahoma, on 160 acres about 30 minutes from downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Today it is a public, residential 4-year university in northeastern Oklahoma – the only residential campus in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. They have branches in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Pryor Creek, Oklahoma.

Features

Rogers State University offers 17 degrees for 4,074 undergraduate students. 85% live off campus. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 19-to-1. Nearly 51% of the classes have less than 20 students. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 30 student organizations – not including Greek chapters. Rogers State University participates in NAIA athletics – but they have accepted the NCAA division II process. Top majors include:

• Business
• Biology
• Communications
• Nursing
• Technology

Notables

A few unique things about Rogers State University includes their own RSU Radio and Public Television stations with students creating unique content. There is a 100-acre nature preserve close to campus for students to study and explore. It is also near the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum.

Overview

Southwestern Christian University was founded in 1946 in the Bethany suburb of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. The main campus has 10 acres on the on the historic Route 66 in Bethany. However, there are additional locations in Bethany, Tulsa and online for students to study as convenient.

Features

Southwestern Christian University offers over 25 majors for over 586 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 11-to-1. Outside the classroom, student have access to over multiple student organizations and12 intramural sports. Southwestern Christian University participates in NAIA and NCAA Division I athletics. Top majors include:

• Business
• Human Services
• Sport & Fitness Management
• Psychology
• Theological & Ministerial Studies

Notables

The motto of Southwestern Christian University is “Scholarship, Spirit, Service”. The provides rigorous curriculum for students to exceed in their academic and professional careers. The spiritual life of the student is nurtured through specific programing, chapel services and mentoring. But neither of these two areas are worth anything without application. Students are encouraged to serve others through volunteering, student organizations or community engagement.

Overview

Cameron University was founded in 1908 in Lawton, Oklahoma. Today, the university is named after Reverend E. D. Cameron, a Baptist minister and Oklahoma’s first state superintendent of schools. The university has a 160-acre main campus in Lawton and a branch campus in Duncan near the eastern edge of the Wichita Mountains.

Features

Cameron University offers 50 degree options for 4,740 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 18-to-1. Nearly 47% of the classes have less than 20 students. Outside the classroom, student have access to over 80 student organizations. Cameron University participates in NCAA Division II athletics. Top majors include:

• Business
• Corrections & Criminal Justice
• Psychology
• Education
• Health & Physical Education

Notables

Cameron University is so confident in their educational curriculum that they offer the “The Cameron University Guarantee”. It is the first guarantee program offered by a public university in Oklahoma and one of the first in the nation. The guarantee means that if an employer of a Cameron graduate identifies a deficiency in the core employment areas in the major field of study, Cameron will provide additional education with no expense to the graduate or the employer. That is quality service for your employers.

Overview

Langston University is a historically black college and university, and a land-grant institution founded in 1897 in Langston, Oklahoma. The initial budget was $5,000. Today, it is the only HBCU, Thurgood Marshall College Fund member institution in the state. The 40-acre Langston campus is located 10 miles east of Guthrie and has established additional campuses in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Features

Langston University offers over 30 majors for 2,158 undergraduate students. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 14-to-1. Outside the classroom, student organizations include Greek Chapters, intramurals and visual and performing art groups. Langston University participates in NAIA athletics. Top majors include:

• Business
• Education
• Psychology
• Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Humanities

Notables

The city of Langston, Oklahoma was one of the few remaining all-black towns in the former Oklahoma Territory. It was opened for settlement in 1890 and named after the first black Virginian to serve in the United States House of Representatives. The town is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area. But the city itself has only 1,724 residents.

Overview

Mid-America Christian University was founded in 1953 in Houston, Texas by Dr. Max R. Gaulke. In 1983, the college moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After the relocation was complete, the institution as rebranded to Mid-America Christian University. Today, the campus has 65 acres and is associated with the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.).

Features

Mid-America Christian University offers 25 majors for 1,605 undergraduate students. About 30% of the students live on campus. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 7-to-1. Outside the classroom, student have access to student organizations, intramurals and community volunteering opportunities. Mid-America Christian University participates in NAIA Division I athletics. Top majors include:

• Theological & Ministerial Studies
• Liberal Arts & Humanities
• Counseling Psychology
• Business
• Health Care Management

Notables

Mid-American Christian University is a safe campus that offers many students organizations, student life and community connections to their students. The Student Success Center has advisors, counselors and tutors available when you need them. Undergraduates change the world because of their experience started at Mid-America Christian University.