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University of Oklahoma Named Top Employer in the State and One of America’s Best Employers

University of Oklahoma Named Top Employer in the State and One of America’s Best Employers

February 10, 2022

OU earned a spot on Forbes' annual list of America’s Best Large Employers, placing No. 48 out of 500 employers with more than 5,000 employees, and No. 4 in the education subcategory. Among companies with headquarters in Oklahoma, OU was ranked No. 1.

The University of Oklahoma is one of the best places to work in the United States and the No. 1 employer in the state of Oklahoma, according to Forbes.

OU earned a spot on the magazine’s annual list of America’s Best Large Employers, placing No. 48 out of 500 employers with more than 5,000 employees, and No. 4 in the education subcategory. Among companies with headquarters in Oklahoma, OU was ranked No. 1.

“We are incredibly proud that OU has been recognized as a top 50 employer in America – a distinction that reinforces our efforts to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and welcomed and a part of our purpose of changing lives,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “This achievement is a testament to the remarkable commitment and care of our faculty and staff, who work hard every day to make the University of Oklahoma such a special place.”

At the time of the survey’s administration, OU reported a total workforce of more than 18,000 employees. Faculty and staff across OU’s three campuses in Norman, Tulsa and Oklahoma City serve the academic endeavors of over 31,000 students and also play an important role in contributing to the university’s overall $2.6 billion annual statewide economic impact.

OU makes a variety of benefits available to eligible employees, including health, dental and vision insurances; flexible spending account programs for medical and dependent care; life and disability insurances; retirement plans; generous leave policies; employee and dependent educational benefits; career development opportunities; wellness programs; and employee discounts.

“At OU, we pride ourselves on being a place where not only our students can thrive, but also our employees,” said Dorothy Anderson, vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer. “The university is committed to developing and retaining an outstanding and diverse workforce, and this recognition validates the progress we’ve been able to achieve.”

The acknowledgment is measured through an independent survey of 60,000 U.S. employees across 25 industry sectors and considers every aspect of the employee experience.

To compile the rankings, Forbes partnered with Statista, an online statistics provider, to conduct an independent survey. Participation in the survey was voluntary, and respondents were recruited from thousands of sources to maximize reach and representation.

The evaluation was based on direct and indirect recommendations from employees who were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Survey participants were also prompted to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stood out either positively or negatively.

Additionally, participants evaluated their employer based on a series of statements surrounding work-related topics, including working conditions, salary and advancement opportunities.

The complete America’s Best Employers 2022 list is available on the Forbes website.

To learn more about careers at the University of Oklahoma and to view current job openings, visit jobs.ou.edu.