The University of Tulsa is Oklahoma’s top university and one of the nation’s top 100 private colleges, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2019 Best Colleges. The publication’s latest rankings were released Monday, Sept. 10, and show TU remains the highest rated college in the state as well as a top 50 national university for student selectivity and a top 100 institution for veterans.
U.S. News rankings are based on 16 measures of academic quality such as first-year student retention, graduation rates and faculty. TU is listed No. 46 in student selectivity based on its average college-entrance exam scores and high school class rank for incoming freshmen. The top 100 veteran ranking emphasizes TU’s participation in federal initiatives that support veterans and active-duty service members.
“Beginning 20 months ago, we began an in-depth campus-wide strategic planning process called The Greater Commitment. Our research guided us to a five-year plan that focused our efforts less on rankings and more on the long-term needs of our students, the university and Tulsa’s economic vitality,” said Dr. Gerard Clancy, president of TU. “Our Greater Commitment plan highlights our efforts in the areas of affordability, inclusion, degree completion and preparing for life after college including career success. We are proud of our numerous prestigious rankings but even prouder of our long-term vision of a high value, high performing university.”
TU ranks 39th among U.S. research universities in the “faculty resources” category, which includes measures such as small class sizes, low student-faculty ratio and high percentage of faculty who are full-time and have terminal degrees. TU’s best category ranking, 35th for “alumni giving,” highlights that a significant percentage of graduates give back to the university in the form of financial donations that support our programs and current students.
“The University of Tulsa offers all students a meaningful college experience – complete with a diverse and accepting campus, a faculty engaged side-by-side with students in learning, and a multitude of academic and co-curricular opportunities that allows students to explore and write the next chapters of their stories,” said Provost Janet Levit. “TU empowers students and alumni to become leaders in solving society’s toughest problems through innovative ideas and a desire to make a lasting, positive impact.”
TU also was recognized as one of the nation’s most welcoming universities for international undergraduates during the 2017-18 academic year. Twenty percent of TU students hailed from outside the United States, representing more than 60 countries as well as many religions, languages and cultures. The TU Office of International Student Services recruits students from around the world and provides vital support as they transition to college life in the United States. The International Student Success Center builds language and academic skills while fostering social and scholarly networks.
Additional recent university recognitions:
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education
The U.S. News announcement comes on the heels of several other national accolades including recognition from The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education U.S. College Rankings for 2019. TU ranked 154th out of 968 institutions nationwide and 33rd out of 286 universities in the South.
Forbes America’s Top Colleges
TU was named the No. 20 university in the nation by Forbes America’s Top Colleges 2019 for emphasizing a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. Forbes ranks TU No. 171 overall out of 650 universities and No. 12 among the 50 best U.S. colleges for international students.
Times Higher Education Top 20 in the World
For the third year in a row, TU is one of the world’s top 20 small universities, according to Times Higher Education magazine. The London-based higher education publication lists TU No. 13 in its annual compilation of the best small universities with fewer than 5,000 students. TU is one of only four universities recognized from the United States and also is included in the magazine’s list of best 1,000 universities in the world.
U.S. Veterans Magazine – Veteran Friendly School
TU is designated a Top Veteran-Friendly School by the U.S. Veterans Magazine 2018 Best of the Best list. The nationwide review of employers, initiatives, government agencies and educational institutions indicates TU is the only university in Oklahoma to receive the distinction. TU also has been recognized as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media with an admission and support staff designed specifically to serve the needs of veterans, active members of the military and their families.
Princeton Review/Fiske Guide to Colleges
The 2019 edition of the Princeton Review College Guide features TU as one of the 384 outstanding colleges in the nation and a “Best Regional College” in the western region.
TU also is one of the top 300 colleges and universities from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, according to Fiske Guide to Colleges 2019.