Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Public · Moderately Selective · OK

Photo: DBinfo (Public domain)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationOK · South

SettingRural

Undergrads21,773

Student:faculty19:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate52.5%

6-yr grad rate68.2%

Drop-out rate15.2%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$10k

Out-of-state tuition$26k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity34.2%

Gender diversity52.8%

International1.4%

Identity—

Overview

Oklahoma State University, the state's land-grant institution in Stillwater, combines historic agricultural roots with a distinctive Georgian-style campus and a century-old homecoming tradition. It functions as a classic college-town flagship, with much of Stillwater's identity built around the university, and its brick, colonnaded buildings give the campus a consistent, traditional look that has changed relatively little in character even as the university has grown. OSU's identity draws as much from its practical, land-grant mission as from any single flashy program, and that agricultural and applied-sciences heritage still shapes the university today.

Academics

Agriculture, through the Ferguson College of Agriculture, and engineering are the longstanding core strengths, and OSU has also built one of the more recognized hospitality programs in the region through its School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration, along with a respected aviation program that trains professional pilots. The Spears School of Business rounds out a solid set of applied, career-oriented programs. OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine is another notable strength, giving the university a rare undergraduate-to-professional pipeline in that field. Across most colleges, the emphasis is on practical, industry-connected training rather than purely theoretical study, consistent with the university's land-grant origins.

Campus & student life

America's Greatest Homecoming Celebration is a genuine point of statewide pride and draws alumni back to Stillwater every year for a "Sea of Orange" of decorated houses and parade floats, a tradition that predates most other college homecomings still running today. Cowboy athletics more broadly anchor the social calendar, with wrestling carrying particular historical weight as one of the most decorated programs in the country, alongside football and basketball. The Georgian architecture gives the campus a cohesive, traditional look uncommon among large public universities, and Stillwater's identity is inseparable from the university's calendar.

Getting in

Admissions is generally accessible for a state flagship, with agriculture, engineering, and the aviation and hospitality programs each having their own program-specific expectations beyond general admission. OSU draws heavily from Oklahoma and neighboring states, and its relative affordability compared with other regional flagships makes it a common choice for students prioritizing value alongside strong applied and professional programs.

After graduation

Graduates in agriculture and engineering place well regionally, and the aviation and hospitality programs feed into those specific industries with a reputation that extends beyond Oklahoma. Veterinary medicine graduates and pre-veterinary students benefit from the university's own vet school pipeline. The alumni network is close-knit and strongly tied to homecoming traditions, with alumni engagement around that event notably high even years after graduation.

Worth knowing

Stillwater is a small, self-contained college town without a major nearby city, which some students find focusing and others find limiting; visiting before enrolling is worthwhile for anyone unsure how they'll feel about that setting. Homecoming week genuinely reshapes campus life each fall, well beyond just a football game.

okstate.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate75%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1040–1250 · ACT 20–27

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying