6 Biggest Colleges in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has outstanding programs for students interested in many fields like nursing, business and education.

Many know Oklahoma as “The Sooner state,” home to settlers of the Midwest. Yet Oklahoma is much more than just the Sooner state. Whether you’re an Oklahoma native, or someone who’s always wanted to live in the Great Plains, Oklahoma offers a number of big colleges and universities.

From the oldest college in Oklahoma to the first public university, Oklahoma is home to a variety of different schools. Here are the six largest colleges in the state, along with how much it costs to attend them.

6. Northeastern State University

Type of College: Public University

Enrollment: 9,261

Cost: $162 per credit hour for residents, $387 per credit hour for out-of-state students

Best Program: Education is the most popular major for both undergraduate and graduate students. Unlike a traditional education major, NSU’s program allows students to specialize. Popular choices include English education, social studies education, and special education.

Fun Fact: Broken Arrow, one of the NSU campuses, is only open to upperclassmen. Students must be in their junior or senior year to take classes there.

5. Oklahoma City Community College

Type of College: Community College

Enrollment: 14,433

Cost: $99 per credit hour for residents, $252 per credit hour for out-of-state students

Best Program: OKCC is known for its strong nursing program. Its popularity makes it one of the most competitive departments. Each year, 288 students are accepted into the three nursing department pathways: traditional, accelerated, and career ladder.

Fun Fact: Each fall and winter break, OKCC offers day camps for children up to 12 years old.

4. University of Central Oklahoma

Type of College: Public University

Enrollment: 17,239

Cost: $180 per credit hour for residents, $425 per credit hour for out-of-state students

Best Program: The business program is the largest on campus, with nearly 30 percent of the student body declaring the major. The College of Business offers students many choices when it comes to choosing a focus, and is the only program in Oklahoma to win multiple Professor of the Year awards.

Fun Fact: The University of Central Oklahoma was named one of the best universities to work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

3. Tulsa Community College

Type of College: Community College

Enrollment: 19,367

Cost: $76 per credit hour for residents, $257 per credit hour for out-of-state students

Best Program: Most students choose to major in health sciences. Within the program, majors are divided into two groups: the allied health division or nursing. The health sciences department encompasses majors such as nursing, dental hygiene, and pharmacy technology.

Fun Fact: In August of 2012, the TCC became a tobacco-free campus.

2. Oklahoma State University

Type of College: Public University

Enrollment: 25,544

Cost: $169 per credit hour for residents, $548 per credit hour for out-of-state students

Best Programs: The College of Arts and Sciences has more students than any other department at Oklahoma State. Over 55 percent of students major in an area of arts and science. Business is also popular, catering to undergraduates who wish to gain a general understanding of the field.

Fun Fact: The Oklahoma State Cowboys have won 51 national championships – ranking fourth in the Big 12 conference.

1. University of Oklahoma, Norman

Type of College: Public University

Enrollment: 31,097

Cost: $8,705 for residents, $20,342 for out-of-state students

Best Programs: The Price College of Business isn’t the largest department on campus, but it is home to the most popular majors. Students flock to the marketing and management programs, which allow majors to focus on either general classes or specific concentrations like human resource management.

Fun Fact: The University of Oklahoma’s fight song “Boomer Sooner” was created by combining the tunes of Yale’s and North Carolina’s fight songs.

Quick Facts

  • Oklahoma has a unique organization, named The Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities, that represents all of the independent schools in the state.
  • The University of Central Oklahoma is one of the “greenest” schools in the state, thanks to its programs such as the only car-share system in the state and the “Bum-a-Bike” initiative.
  • There are four religious-based colleges in Oklahoma, each dedicated to a different religion.
Scroll to Top