Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has joined a group of just four Oklahoma public universities on U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities list. SWOSU has been ranked in the category for the first time in the publication’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings. It was one of only 13 institutions to move into National Universities from the 115 schools on last year’s Regional Universities West list.

U.S. News groups universities before ranking them so readers can compare schools with similar academic offerings. The National Universities category includes schools that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. For 2027, U.S. News updated these groups using the revised Carnegie classifications and separate measures of research activity. This approach considers the degrees universities award, the subjects they teach, their enrollment and their research.

SWOSU joins the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and Northeastern State University in the National Universities category, which also includes universities like Princeton, Harvard, and Yale. The magazine said SWOSU qualified for the national category in part due to SWOSU’s graduate degrees and its two doctorate degrees – the Doctor of Pharmacy and the new Doctor of Community Health.

“SWOSU has long provided students with a high-quality education that delivers exceptional value and a strong return on their investment,” said SWOSU President Dr. Joel Kendall. “Our move from the Regional Universities category to the National Universities category affirms what we already know about the quality and breadth of a SWOSU education. We’re proud to see that strength recognized nationally and even prouder that our graduates put it to work strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce and communities.”

In the rankings, SWOSU had strong numbers in predicted graduation rate, six-year graduation rate, and graduation rate of students who receive Pell financial aid.

SWOSU offers more than 100 fields of study and has 16 nationally accredited academic programs. Its undergraduate and graduate programs prepare students to enter their professions and continue their education as their careers develop. Small classes and individual faculty guidance support students through that work, whether they are beginning college or returning after years in a profession.

Many graduate programs are available online so students can continue working and caring for their families while pursuing another degree. For those already serving Oklahoma communities, this flexibility allows them to prepare for new responsibilities while remaining in their jobs. Their progress helps meet the need for experienced leaders in the state’s schools, businesses and health care services. SWOSU’s support for these students helps them build their futures while strengthening the communities they serve.

The complete rankings are available at https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves more than 5,000 students and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.

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