What a friend would tell you
What TU is looking for
TU awards generous merit scholarships, and strong test scores or GPA can yield near-full rides. Apply early and negotiate. The petroleum engineering program is the academic anchor; if that's your field, say so clearly. Business and cybersecurity programs are growing. Admissions values students who want TU specifically, not students using it as a safety. A sincere 'Why Tulsa' response that references the city and specific programs matters.
What students wish they'd known
Tulsa, Oklahoma is not on most students' radar, and the school's name recognition is limited outside the energy industry and the region. At 3,800 students, the campus can feel quiet, especially on weekends. Greek life (40%) is the dominant social force. The petroleum engineering pipeline is strong but narrow; if you change your mind about energy, the pivot options are more limited. Oklahoma summers are hot, and the cultural scene, while growing, is modest.
TU might be a fit if...
- You want a private university with generous merit aid, small classes, and direct pipelines to the energy industry
- You're interested in petroleum engineering, cybersecurity, or business and want a school where you won't be anonymous
- You prefer a mid-size city with low cost of living over a coastal metro with high expenses
TU Admissions Strategy
Application Info
Plans: Rolling
Deadlines: RD January 15
Deadlines: RD January 15
Test Policy
Test-optional
You choose whether to send scores. A strong score helps your case; a weak one is better left off.
Demonstrated Interest
Not Tracked
Not tracked. Skip the info-session circuit and put those hours into the application itself.
Interview
Recommended
Yield Rate
37%
Only 37% of admits choose to enroll. The waitlist moves more than you'd think; if you land on it, make your interest loud.
Want the strongest possible application to TU, plus better odds and merit offers everywhere else you apply?
Join the free one-hour workshop from two Harvard grads who have helped 3,000+ students get in. Parents welcome.
Cost & Financial Aid at TU
$62,000
Sticker Price
$28,000
Avg Merit Aid
Need-aware admissions. Meets 100% of demonstrated need. 93% receive financial aid.
What you get for it: TU spends about $18,000 per student per year on instruction and student resources, well above the $15K national average.
What TU Graduates Get
$58,000
Avg Starting Salary
98%
Employed or in Grad School
60%
Graduate in 4 Years
The 4-year number is the on-time rate; the 6-year rate (72%) is the one schools usually advertise. A wide gap means many students pay for extra semesters.
TU Campus & Culture
The Campus
TU's 209-acre campus sits in midtown Tulsa, a mix of Collegiate Gothic limestone buildings and modern research facilities centered around the U, a central green space. McFarlin Library, with its Art Deco detailing, anchors the academic core. The campus is compact, tree-lined, and walkable, with Tulsa's Cherry Street and Brookside restaurant districts within minutes. The Gilcrease Museum and Philbrook Museum are nearby. The surrounding midtown neighborhood is one of Tulsa's most livable.
The Social Scene
Developing, energetic campus, growing food scene
TU Traditions & Trivia
Kendall Bell
For over 50 years, graduating seniors have climbed to the cupola and rung the Kendall Bell after their last final exam at TU, marking the exact moment their undergraduate career ends with a sound the whole campus can hear.
The Toilet Bowl
For over 50 years, residents of John Mabee Hall have run an annual flag football game each spring called the Toilet Bowl, with a halftime crowning of the Toilet Bowl queen.
Academics at TU
What TU is known for
Petroleum engineering, business, incredible financial aid
Most popular majors at TU
Standout programs
Engineering, business, petroleum engineering, finance
How the curriculum works
Common core with major specialization
Recommended high school courses
4 English, 4 Math, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Foreign Language
Notable TU Alumni
S.E. Hinton
Author of The Outsiders, University of Tulsa graduate
Steve Largent
NFL Hall of Fame receiver turned U.S. Congressman, TU class of 1976
Wayman Tisdale
NBA player and jazz bassist
Drew Pearson
NFL legend, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
If you like TU, also consider
Rice University
Houston's elite private with stronger brand but less merit aid
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Dallas private with comparable pre-professional culture
University of Oklahoma (not in DB)
in-state flagship with more school spirit and larger scale
Colorado School of Mines
engineering-focused school with Colorado outdoor access
Case Western Reserve University
private research university with stronger national reputation