Admit rate has ranged 36%–75% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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.
The University of Tulsa (TU) is a private research university in Oklahoma that punches above its weight with standout engineering programs, a tight-knit campus vibe, and a surprising 99% first-year retention rate. Known for its petroleum engineering prowess and intimate class sizes, TU blends rigorous academics with strong student support, though its sticker price demands serious scholarship hunting.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,813
In-state tuition
$50,061
Out-of-state tuition
$50,061
Retention Rate
99%
Acceptance Rate
57–62%
Graduation Rate
72–73%
Notable Program
No. 3 Petroleum Engineering
On-Campus Housing
65%
Median Earnings After 1 Year
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,408
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.1×
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
Graduation rate
72%
First-year retention
92%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
79%
Pell (lower-income) share
50%
First-generation share
23%
Endowment / student
$458,600
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Petroleum Engineering$80,022
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians$69,338
Mechanical Engineering$67,812
Chemical Engineering$67,660
Computer Science$66,171
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$61,020
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
1.42
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
72
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
32°F
Annual rain
48.3"
Annual snow
6.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
266
Scholarly works
18,717
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.2%
Bottom → top quintile
23%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Tulsa?
University of Tulsa's acceptance rate is approximately 62% (Tulsa, OK), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Tulsa?
Admitted students at University of Tulsa typically score 1223–1530 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Tulsa cost?
At University of Tulsa, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,000 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Tulsa?
University of Tulsa enrolls approximately 2,813 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Tulsa located?
University of Tulsa is located in Tulsa, OK.
Admissions
TU is somewhat selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering between 57.98% and 62% depending on the year and source. Admitted students typically boast strong academic credentials: average GPAs around 3.9, SAT scores between 1220–1530, and ACT scores of 24–33 (with midranges at 29–30). The university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., weighing both test scores and academic rigor, though it’s notably more accessible than elite private peers. Notably, 99% of first-year students return for sophomore year—a testament to its supportive environment.
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.
Finance and Financial Management Services$44,971
Business Administration, Management and Operations$38,289
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.
Academics
TU’s academic identity is anchored by its top-ranked petroleum engineering program (ranked No. 3 nationally) and a No. 7 spot for best colleges for engineering majors. The university offers 37 undergraduate and 8 graduate degrees in arts and sciences alone, with standout accelerated programs allowing students to earn master’s credits during undergrad. Small classes are the norm—86% of first-years report close faculty interaction, and 65% participate in undergraduate research. Pre-professional tracks shine: 94% of applicants to law or med school are admitted, double the national average. The curriculum emphasizes writing (60% of courses require it) and hands-on learning, particularly in STEM.
Life at TU revolves around its 209-acre campus, where 65% of students live on-site in five residence halls. The vibe is friendly and inclusive, with students from 45 states and a strong sense of community—91% report feeling 'extremely safe'. Over 100 student organizations span academic, cultural, and recreational interests, from professional engineering societies to quirky hobby clubs. The Office of Student Engagement fosters leadership and wellness programs, while Tulsa’s mid-sized city location offers internships and off-campus diversions. Sports are Division I (Conference USA), though the campus culture leans more toward intramurals and school-spirit traditions than rabid fandom.
TU delivers strong ROI: a 72–73% graduation rate (top 20% nationally) and a median earnings figure of $36,427 one year post-graduation. Retention is stellar—99% of first-years return, with Pell Grant recipients seeing a 19% jump in graduation rates in recent years. The school’s focus on professional preparation pays off, especially in energy-sector jobs (thanks to its petroleum engineering pipeline) and healthcare (with high med-school placement rates). Transfer students, however, face challenges—only 43.4% of community college transfers complete degrees, a noted weak spot.
TU’s sticker price is steep, but the university is aggressive with aid. The average net price after scholarships and grants is $23,681, with aid packages averaging $36,581. Students are encouraged to use the school’s Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates. Merit scholarships are plentiful, and the university highlights work-study and assistantship opportunities to offset costs. Still, the gap between aid and actual cost can be a hurdle for middle-income families, making TU a better value for those who land top-tier scholarships or need-based support.
TU’s niche excellence in engineering (especially petroleum) and unusually high retention rate set it apart. Unlike larger tech-focused schools, it pairs rigorous STEM programs with small classes and faculty mentorship—a rarity at research universities. The campus culture is tight-knit but not cloistered, leveraging Tulsa’s urban energy without sacrificing safety. Its 99% first-year retention rate suggests students quickly feel at home, though the cost-benefit calculus hinges on securing substantial aid. For aspiring engineers or pre-professionals seeking a supportive, smaller-scale university, TU delivers a highly focused alternative to sprawling state schools.
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