Southeastern ranked No. 6 among nation’s Top 100 Rural Colleges

August 31, 2026

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University has been ranked No. 6 among the nation’s Top 100 Rural Colleges and No. 1 in Oklahoma in Washington Monthly’s inaugural Best Colleges for Rural America ranking.

The ranking, released Aug. 30, recognizes colleges and universities for their contributions to educational access, affordability, student success and the communities they serve.

Southeastern was the highest-ranked institution in Oklahoma and one of only two Oklahoma universities to place among the top 10.

Washington Monthly’s new “Best Colleges for Rural America” ranking evaluates rural colleges based on their ability to serve in-state students, provide opportunities for students from modest-income backgrounds, produce strong career outcomes and meet rural workforce needs. Colleges receive additional recognition for producing graduates in high-demand fields such as education, nursing, engineering, agriculture and natural resources, as well as for graduates who remain in the state after earning their degrees.

The publication evaluated 225 four-year, nonprofit institutions for the ranking.

To learn more and see the full rankings, visit Washington Monthly online.

About Washington Monthly
Founded in 1969, Washington Monthly is an independent, nonprofit media organization based in Washington, D.C. The publication covers politics, public policy and higher education and publishes its annual College Guide and Rankings, which evaluate colleges based on their contributions to the public good. The Washington Monthly College Guide has ranked colleges since 2005.

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