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Oklahoma State University is a public, research institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, the university is the flagship school of the Oklahoma State University System. While the main campus is in Stillwater, other academic facilities are found in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Okmulgee.


Overview of Oklahoma State University (OSU)


Building on its land-grant heritage, Oklahoma State University promotes learning, advances knowledge, enriches lives, and stimulates economic development through teaching, research, extension, outreach, and creative activities. The institution’s core values include community, excellence, diversity, integrity, service, intellectual freedom, and stewardship of resources.

Oklahoma State University has also received recognition from organizations all across the nation. The Princeton Review named it as one of the top schools in the western region in 2021. Niche.com also included the institution in its top-50 list of public universities nationally in 2017 and named it number one in Oklahoma among public colleges and universities. Additionally, Money Magazine listed it as one of the top 10 best state schools for out-of-state students.

The institution has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts. According to the Times Higher Education’s 2022 impact rankings, it placed 63rd out of 1,115 schools around the world and fourth in the United State. Inside Honors also ranked the university’s curriculum among the top 10 in the nation.

The student population is nearly 24,600, with 20,216 pursuing undergraduate degrees. Oklahoma State University also employs 1,391 full-time and 181 part-time faculty members. While most provide instructional support, approximately 120 dedicate time to research and public service. This makes the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. There are also 1,866 graduate assistants, 1,084 of whom provide instructional support and 782 who focus on research.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting Town: Distant
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 18:1
Graduation Rate 66%
Year Founded 1890

Student Enrollment


Total Students24,577

Undergraduate
20,216
Graduate
4,361

Undergraduate Student

Male 9,704
9,704
Female 10,512
10,512

Graduate Student

Male 2,093
2,093
Female 2,268
2,268

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OSU Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS16,934

Male 7,037
Female 9,897

ACCEPTANCE11,515

Male 4,785
Female 6,730

Acceptance Rate68%

Male 68%
Female 68%

Enrollment 4,261

Male 1,910
Female 2,351
Admissions
Application Fee $40
High School GPA Required
High School Rank Required
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Recommended
Recommendations NA
SAT/ACT Considered But Not Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Application Deadline Rolling
Common Application Accepted No

OSU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


The cost of attending Oklahoma State University varies depending on residency and the type of degree sought. Undergraduate, in-state students enrolled in 15 credit hours per semester can expected to pay approximately $29,890 per year. This includes $13,930 for tuition and fees, $9,800 for housing and meals, $1,200 for books and supplies, $1,970 for transportation, and $3,000 for personal expenses. Out-of-state undergraduate students will pay more, however. Their total anticipated cost per year is $45,410, as tuition and fees increase to $29,440 for 15 credit hours per semester. Actual cost will vary, especially when students enroll in more or fewer courses.

Graduate students pay different rates. The yearly estimate for in-state students is $25,950. This includes $7,550 for tuition and fees, $12,110 for housing and meals, $740 for books and supplies, $2,130 for transportation, and $3,420 for personal expenses. Again, out-of-state students will pay more. Their estimated cost is $36,290, as tuition and fees increase to $17,890. Students with assistantships will have reduced tuition and health insurance costs.

Notably, Oklahoma State University has been named to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Best College Value list 15 times since 2000. It was also named the number one most affordable college in Oklahoma in 2021 by the College Affordability Guide. The institution continues to provide excellent value at a great price, with tuition and fees 69% of the national average. Additionally, more than 50% of students graduate without any student loan debt.

The university wants to make sure all students can afford an exceptional education. All students are encouraged to apply for aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is used to determine financial need when generating aid packages. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 93% of beginning students entering postsecondary education at the institution for the first time received some form of financial assistance. Approximately 44% still required some student loans, however.

Average net price 2020-2021
Net Price $14,603
Average Total Aid $11,355
Students Receiving Financial Aid 93%
Room & Board $9,646

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $9,244
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $24,764
  • Books and Supplies - $1,140
  • Room & Board - $9,646
  • Other - $4,740

Academics


Oklahoma State University is dedicated to helping students reach their fullest potential. Faculty members are award-winning instructors known for developing talented individuals into successful leaders, researchers, and professional scholars. The institution offers more than 200 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as 79 master’s and 45 doctoral programs. There are several academic colleges, plus a veterinary school and an osteopathic medical school.

These colleges include:

  • Arts and Sciences
  • Education and Human Sciences
  • Engineering Architecture and Technology
  • Ferguson College of Agriculture
  • School of Global Studies and Partnerships
  • Spears School of Business
  • Honors College

The university is also a leading contributor to graduate and professional education in Oklahoma, with nearly 100 graduate certificates, over 1,250 master’s degrees, and almost 250 doctoral degrees awarded each year. Those enrolled at the graduate level also have access to competitive fellowships and assistantships.

Additionally, Oklahoma State University has a strong online education program. In 2022, Newsweek ranked the institution fifth among America’s best online learning schools. The university provides flexible and convenient online college credit courses that are perfect for today’s busy student.

As of fall 2020, Oklahoma State University had first-year undergraduate retention rate of 83% for full-time students and 65% for part-time students. Notably, the national average is 68%. This indicates that the mass majority of students enrolled at the university were happy enough with their academic experience to return the following year.

The overall graduation rate for students who began their studies in 2015 was 66% with a transfer-out rate of 13%. This data shows how frequently students complete their degrees or certificate programs within 150% of standard time. This indicates that the majority of full-time, first-time students enrolled were able to complete their studies within six years. Approximately 45% of students were able to graduate within four years.

Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Additionally, many programs hold area accreditation. Some of the most notable examples include the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, American Psychological Association (APA), National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH), and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Student Population Total


Student Population 24,577

Undergraduate
20,216
Graduate
4,361
Evening Classes : No
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Business Majors 1,319 Total Graduates / 27%
Business Administration and Management, General 437 Graduates
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 321 Graduates
Accounting 194 Graduates
Finance, General 187 Graduates
All Engineering Majors 589 Total Graduates / 12%
Mechanical Engineering 256 Graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General 81 Graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 59 Graduates
Chemical Engineering 58 Graduates
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields 497 Total Graduates / 10%
Animal Sciences, General 207 Graduates
Agricultural Business and Management, General 174 Graduates
Agricultural Communication/Journalism 47 Graduates
Agricultural Public Services, Other 20 Graduates
Soil Science and Agronomy, General 20 Graduates
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 424 Total Graduates / 9%
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 93 Graduates
Microbiology, General 70 Graduates
Ecology 70 Graduates
Biochemistry 57 Graduates
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences 216 Total Graduates / 4%
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General 111 Graduates
Human Development and Family Studies, General 105 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 38%

Outcome & Salary


Oklahoma State University coordinates alumni surveys each year. Of those who graduated in 2014 and 2018, over 83% were currently reemployed in 2020. Approximately 21% were continuing their education. Only 2.7% of the total respondents indicated they were neither employed nor continuing their education. The most frequently reported annual salary range was $75,000 but less than $100,000. Notably, most respondents resided near the institution, with over 52% living in Oklahoma and over 22% living in the surrounding states of Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Arkansas, and New Mexico. Additionally, more than 83% stated that they were satisfied with the quality of teaching at Oklahoma State University.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $56,600
College Grads Average Salary $71,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $105,000
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $710,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,760,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $58,412
10 Year Projected ROI $651,588
20 Year Projected ROI $1,701,588
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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