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Northwestern Oklahoma State University

NWOSU

Alva, Oklahoma 73717-2799

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege town

Known for business — close-knit campus

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution in Alva with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1015, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.5K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

35% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $44,358 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,366.

Established
1897
Motto
Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow
Mascot
Rowdy Ranger
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

66%Acceptance
1015SAT Avg
1,468Students
16:1Student:Faculty
35%Grad Rate
$44,358Earnings 10yr
$11,366Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate66.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1015

Reading & WritingMid: 485
430550
MathMid: 485
438540

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 20
1622

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$5,970
Tuition (out-of-state)$11,664
Room & Board$5,520
Books & Supplies$1,600
Total Cost of Attendance$20,993
Average Net Price$11,366
Median Debt at Graduation$17,355
Monthly Payment (10yr)$184

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,050
$30–48K$8,936
$48–75K$11,315
$75–110K$16,731
$110K+$18,614

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

60.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-2.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$11,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (59)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

65%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,468
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
43%
Pell Grant Recipients
41%

Race & Ethnicity

White 60%
Black 8%
Hispanic 16%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate35.4%
Freshman Retention65.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,997
10 Years$44,358

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History In 1897, a normal school, or school for teachers, was established in Alva by an act of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature.
  • The new school's faculty consisted of the school's first president, James E.
  • Classes were held in the Congregational Church until construction of the first building, the "Castle on the Hill", was complete on September 20, 1897.
  • The "Castle on the Hill", 1901 In 1902 biology department head, Professor G.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

86Low

Estimated from OK state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
274 mi(475 min)
Dallaspop. 1.3M
297 mi(515 min)
Denverpop. 710K
399 mi(692 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

OKC Oklahoma City114 mi
MCI Kansas City276 mi
DFW Dallas-Fort Worth285 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1512 mi · ~43h 41m drive
New York, NY1351 mi · ~39h 2m drive
Hartford, CT1426 mi · ~41h 12m drive
Providence, RI1491 mi · ~43h 4m drive
Albany, NY1378 mi · ~39h 49m drive
Syracuse, NY1264 mi · ~36h 31m drive
Rochester, NY1194 mi · ~34h 30m drive
Buffalo, NY1128 mi · ~32h 35m drive
Philadelphia, PA1288 mi · ~37h 13m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1037 mi · ~29h 57m drive
Harrisburg, PA1198 mi · ~34h 37m drive
Newark, NJ1343 mi · ~38h 48m drive
Washington, DC1186 mi · ~34h 16m drive
Baltimore, MD1209 mi · ~34h 56m drive
Atlanta, GA832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Charlotte, NC1001 mi · ~28h 55m drive
Raleigh, NC1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
Miami, FL1327 mi · ~38h 20m drive
Orlando, FL1154 mi · ~33h 20m drive
Tampa, FL1124 mi · ~32h 28m drive
Nashville, TN661 mi · ~19h 6m drive
New Orleans, LA685 mi · ~19h 47m drive
Richmond, VA1168 mi · ~33h 45m drive
Chicago, IL686 mi · ~19h 49m drive
Detroit, MI914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Minneapolis, MN631 mi · ~18h 14m drive
St. Louis, MO480 mi · ~13h 52m drive
Kansas City, MO274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
Indianapolis, IN708 mi · ~20h 27m drive
Columbus, OH875 mi · ~25h 17m drive
Cleveland, OH964 mi · ~27h 51m drive
Milwaukee, WI714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
Dallas, TX297 mi · ~8h 35m drive
Houston, TX522 mi · ~15h 5m drive
Austin, TX454 mi · ~13h 7m drive
San Antonio, TX509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Los Angeles, CA1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
San Francisco, CA1304 mi · ~37h 40m drive
San Diego, CA1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive
Seattle, WA1414 mi · ~40h 51m drive
Portland, OR1380 mi · ~39h 52m drive
Denver, CO399 mi · ~11h 32m drive
Phoenix, AZ791 mi · ~22h 51m drive
Salt Lake City, UT762 mi · ~22h 1m drive
Honolulu, HI3672 mi · ~106h 5m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications