University of Tulsa logo

University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

"Wisdom, Faith, Service"

Wikipedia
1894
Founded
Private research university
Type
2,447
Total Students
2,647
Undergrad
1,122
Graduate
$1.3B
Endowment
(2025)
$49K
Tuition (In-State)
$49K
Tuition (Out-State)
$24K
Avg Net Price
58%
Acceptance Rate
73%
Graduation Rate
6-year
85%
Retention Rate
Doctoral Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About University of Tulsa

University of Tulsa: Historic research powerhouse with top-tier engineering and cyber defense.

Nestled in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa (TU) stands as a vibrant private research university with a rich history and a forward-thinking approach to education. While rooted in a historic affiliation with the Presbyterian Church, TU is now proudly nondenominational, offering a diverse and inclusive environment within its picturesque Collegiate Gothic campus. The university is a designated "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" institution, signaling its commitment to groundbreaking discoveries and scholarly pursuits.

TU's storied past began in 1882 as the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls in Muskogee, evolving into Henry Kendall College by 1894 before relocating to Tulsa in 1904. The institution officially became the University of Tulsa in 1920, and its early faculty and students even played a role in the proposed constitution for the State of Sequoyah. Over the decades, TU has navigated challenges, including the Great Depression, thanks to the support of visionary patrons like oil tycoons Waite Phillips and William G. Skelly, whose legacies continue to shape the university's trajectory.

Academically, the University of Tulsa shines in several key areas. It's recognized as a National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in both Information Assurance and Cyber Defense, preparing students for critical roles in national security. Its McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering is consistently ranked among the nation's best, holding 6th place for graduate programs and 10th for undergraduates by U.S. News & World Report. Beyond these, TU offers robust programs through the Collins College of Business, the Tulsa Law School, and the Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences, providing a comprehensive education that blends theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Beyond academics, TU enriches the cultural landscape through its management of the renowned Gilcrease Museum, home to one of the world's largest collections of American Western art and indigenous American artifacts. The university also proudly hosts The Bob Dylan Archive. Students enjoy a lively campus life, cheering on the Golden Hurricane athletic teams in NCAA Division I as they compete in the American Athletic Conference, fostering a strong sense of community and school spirit among its approximately 3,700 students.

Key Highlights

  • Designated an "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" institution.
  • McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering ranked 6th nationally for graduate programs and 10th for undergraduate by U.S. News & World Report.
  • A National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense.
  • Manages the Gilcrease Museum, featuring one of the world's largest collections of American Western art and indigenous American artifacts.
  • Houses The Bob Dylan Archive, a significant cultural and historical resource.
  • Operates with a substantial $1.3 billion endowment.
  • Athletic teams, the Golden Hurricane, compete in NCAA Division I FBS as members of the American Athletic Conference.

Timeline

1882
Presbyterian School for Indian Girls founded in Muskogee, Indian Territory.
1894
School expanded and renamed Henry Kendall College.
1904
Henry Kendall College moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
1920
Henry Kendall College renamed the University of Tulsa.
1928
School of Petroleum Engineering opened.
1935
College of Business Administration opened (later Collins College of Business).
1943
Tulsa Law School became part of the university.
1948
University radio station KWGS (Public Radio Tulsa) founded.
2004
Oxley College of Health Sciences established (later Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences).
2016
University began managing Gilcrease Museum and temporarily housed The Bob Dylan Archive.
🏛️
132 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

4 notable schools within University of Tulsa

⚙️

McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering

Nationally recognized, ranked 6th for graduate programs and 10th for undergraduate by U.S. News & World Report, and a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

💼

Collins College of Business

Established in 1935 as the College of Business Administration, offering comprehensive business programs.

⚖️

Tulsa Law School

Became part of the university in 1943, providing a strong legal education in downtown Tulsa.

🔬

Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences

Founded in 2004 as the Oxley College of Health Sciences, now encompassing a broad range of health and natural science disciplines.

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