
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public liberal arts university in Chickasha. Its history began in 1908, when Oklahoma established the Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls.
The institution became Oklahoma College for Women in 1912. In 1965, it became coeducational and took the name Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts. It adopted its present name in 1974. Those changes help explain an institution that retains a liberal arts emphasis while offering programs across the sciences, education, business and the arts.
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma offers undergraduate study across the arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences, business and education. Its academic approach includes interdisciplinary coursework intended to connect subjects that students might otherwise study separately.
Representative fields include biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, history, psychology, business, education, music and visual arts. Students comparing majors should examine the current catalog for degree requirements and course schedules: a major's availability does not mean every required class is offered every term. Teacher-preparation and other career-specific programs may also have admission or placement requirements beyond general university admission.
With approximately 1,027 students and a reported student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1, this is a comparatively small university. That ratio describes institution-wide enrollment and staffing; it does not establish the size of every class.
The university is located in Chickasha, Oklahoma, southwest of Oklahoma City. Its setting is a smaller city rather than a major metropolitan campus, which can affect how students approach transportation, work and off-campus activities.
Students who expect to commute or travel regularly should consider access to a car and the time required for regional trips. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. Will Rogers World Airport, in the Oklahoma City area, is the relevant airport for longer-distance travel; students should plan separately for ground transportation between the airport and Chickasha.
The university's stated educational purpose centers on a public liberal arts education that integrates study across disciplines. Its general-education approach places interdisciplinary learning alongside preparation in a student's chosen major.
For applicants, the practical question is whether they want that breadth. A student pursuing a focused field such as business or biology should review both the major requirements and the shared curriculum when estimating time to degree, particularly if transferring credits. The institution is public and does not have a religious affiliation that defines its academic mission.
Name of the institution
University of Science and Arts of OklahomaLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
Town: DistantInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
TrimestersFoundation year
1908University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Bachelor's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.