NSU among nation’s Top 25 for value and student success

Washington Monthly ranks NSU a “Best-in-Class College” out of more than 1,400 institutions

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. —Northeastern State University has been named one of Washington Monthly’s 2025 Best-in-Class Colleges, ranking among the top 25 four-year institutions in the nation out of more than 1,400 evaluated for value, student success and service to the public good.

The ranking highlights NSU’s distinctive strengths in social mobility and community service. NSU’s graduation rate is 15 percentage points higher than expected given students’ preparation and economic background, making it the 19th-best university in the nation at helping students earn a degree. Nearly a third of students pursue service-oriented careers such as teaching and social work, while 40 percent of federal work-study funds are directed toward community service jobs. Each year, the university mobilizes hundreds of students for its Big Event, a large-scale day of service benefiting Tahlequah, Muskogee and Broken Arrow communities.

Founded in 1909 on the grounds of the Cherokee National Female Seminary, NSU has deep roots in the history and culture of the Cherokee Nation, whose capital is Tahlequah. Today, more than a quarter of NSU’s more than 8,200 students identify as Native American, and more than a quarter receive Pell Grants. NSU accepts nearly all applicants, provides one of the most affordable tuition rates in the country, and graduates students with significantly less debt than peers at most U.S. colleges.

“This recognition places Northeastern State University among the nation’s leaders in advancing social mobility and student success,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said. “It shows that a university rooted in access, service and community can compete with the very best in the country while staying true to its mission. NSU demonstrates that higher education can open doors, lift families and strengthen communities. Our success affirms what is possible nationally when institutions commit to accessibility, affordability and preparing graduates who are ready to serve and lead.”

Student feedback consistently notes NSU as a close-knit, supportive community with approachable faculty, small class sizes and a scenic campus at the foothills of the Ozarks. The university’s Center for Tribal Studies and vibrant campus life underscore NSU’s enduring commitment to cultural heritage, belonging and student success.

According to Washington Monthly, this year’s “Best-in-Class Colleges” list demonstrates what’s possible when institutions “help students of modest means earn degrees that pay off in the marketplace, don’t saddle them with heavy debt, and prepare—indeed, encourage—them to become active members of our democracy.”

For more information about the methodology, visit https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025/08/24/a-note-on-methodology-four-year-colleges-and-universities-2/.

To explore NSU’s more than 90 workforce-ready degrees, visit Go2NSU.com.