Best Colleges in Oklahoma 2026

Oklahoma's higher education landscape offers compelling options across 16 qualifying institutions, with public universities claiming three of the top five spots. The University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and Oklahoma State University-Main Campus lead the rankings through strong research programs, extensive alumni networks, and comprehensive academic offerings. These flagship institutions provide excellent value with in-state tuition rates and diverse degree options. When evaluating Oklahoma colleges, students should prioritize graduation rates, employment outcomes, and program-specific accreditation. The mix includes specialized technical schools like Spartan College, which excels in aviation training, alongside traditional four-year universities. Consider factors like campus size, location preferences, and career services when making your decision.

Schools Ranked

$44,781

Avg. Earnings

42.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	75.3%	$63,126	72.9%	$9,595
2	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	65.9%	$57,413	70.6%	$10,234
3	ATA College Tulsa, Oklahoma	66.7%	$40,823		$15,000
4	Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa, Oklahoma	60.5%	$49,944		$18,828
5	Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, Oklahoma	42.2%	$45,634		$5,774
6	Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa, Oklahoma	40.9%	$37,566		$5,061
7	Southern Nazarene University Bethany, Oklahoma	48.8%	$54,951		$29,600
8	Carl Albert State College Poteau, Oklahoma	41.2%	$34,117		$4,230
9	Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma	35.4%	$44,358	56.4%	$5,970
10	Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	64.2%	$54,655	70.4%	$33,586
11	University of Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma	73.3%	$61,408	69.2%	$48,602
12	Western Oklahoma State College Altus, Oklahoma	33.8%	$38,248		$5,446
13	Redlands Community College El Reno, Oklahoma	34.2%	$37,224		$5,385
14	Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Miami, Oklahoma	31.3%	$38,337		$4,943
15	University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, Oklahoma	36.3%	$41,913	56.3%	$9,000
16	Eastern Oklahoma State College Wilburton, Oklahoma	30.4%	$38,658		$4,767
17	Connors State College Warner, Oklahoma	28.8%	$38,469		$3,704
18	University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, Oklahoma	37.5%	$48,351	69.9%	$8,522
19	Tulsa Community College Tulsa, Oklahoma	26.8%	$39,746		$3,768
20	Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, Oklahoma	26.1%	$44,933		$7,922
21	Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, Oklahoma	49.7%	$48,434	47.3%	$34,050
22	Rogers State University Claremore, Oklahoma	25.4%	$43,166		$7,392
23	Murray State College Tishomingo, Oklahoma	30.5%	$36,545		$6,630
24	Seminole State College Seminole, Oklahoma	28.9%	$35,390		$5,460
25	Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	33.3%	$46,116		$19,896