
Admit rate has ranged 67%–71% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Oklahoma State University in Stillwater is a big-hearted, big-school experience with a cowboy boot stamp—think spirited football Saturdays, top-tier agriculture and business programs, and a 'work hard, play hard' ethos. With a 75% acceptance rate and a focus on professional preparedness, OSU delivers solid value, especially for in-state students who want to stay and work in Oklahoma post-graduation.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
OSU maintains a moderately selective admissions process with a 75% acceptance rate, admitting about 9,392 out of 12,501 applicants in recent years. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1040–1140 on the SAT or 20–27 on the ACT. For automatic admission, applicants need either a 3.0 GPA and top 33.3% class rank, a 3.0 GPA in core courses with a 21 ACT/1060 SAT, or a 24 ACT/1160 SAT regardless of GPA. The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen is 3.59.
OSU offers over 200 majors, with standout programs in . The Spears School of Business and College of Engineering are particularly well-regarded. The university emphasizes the 'Ideal Graduate' competencies: . Many degrees, including associate programs at OSU-OKC, can be completed . Faculty are noted for blending research with mentorship, particularly in agriculture (a natural strength given OSU’s land-grant roots).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at OSU revolves around football games (Go Pokes!), a sprawling Greek system, and 500+ clubs—from Queers and Allies to intramural sports. The campus vibe is unapologetically spirited, with orange-clad students packing Boone Pickens Stadium on game days. Reddit threads and Niche reviews highlight the ‘work hard, play hard’ balance, with strong traditions like the ‘Sea of Orange Parade’ and ‘Walkaround’ (a homecoming bonfire event). The arts and sciences college is the largest, ensuring diverse social circles. Over 50 clubs cater to graduate and medical students, too.
OSU’s four-year graduation rate is 53%, rising to 66% at six years—above the national average for public universities. Notably, 92% of graduates stay in Oklahoma to work post-degree, a testament to the university’s local industry ties. Median earnings six years after graduation are $46,855, with many alumni entering agriculture, energy, or business. The College of Arts and Sciences aims to boost graduation rates by 10% by 2027 through targeted retention efforts.
OSU’s net price averages $15,425 after aid, with 53% of students receiving financial aid (average package: $18,579). In-state tuition is a relative bargain compared to private peers, though costs vary by residency and program. The university provides a Net Price Calculator to estimate expenses, which include tuition, fees, and room/board. For context, total annual costs before aid hover around $19,561 for many undergraduates.
OSU is Oklahoma’s pride—a place where you can tailgate with 60,000 fans, study under nationally recognized business professors, and land a job in the state’s booming energy sector. Its agriculture and animal science programs leverage Oklahoma’s rural economy, while the Spears School of Business punches above its weight in regional rankings. The campus culture is tight-knit despite its size, with traditions like ‘America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration’ fostering lifelong loyalty. For students seeking a high-spirited, career-focused education with a side of Southern hospitality, OSU delivers.