NEWS
Media Contact
Danielle Dunn
danielledunn@ou.edu
Date
NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma is the only university from the state of Oklahoma named one of 75 colleges and universities featured in Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, a new book by New York Times bestselling author and college admissions expert Jeffrey Selingo.
Drawing on insights from more than 3,000 parents, Selingo identifies the key factors families prioritize when selecting a college: accessibility and affordability, strong job prospects, experiential learning opportunities, and a sense of belonging. OU’s inclusion in the book reflects its alignment with these values.
“I wrote Dream School to help families find the right fit by aligning what matters most to them with where their child will truly thrive,” said Selingo. “OU made the Dream School list because it embodies so much of what I believe makes for a great institution after having worked in and around higher ed for nearly 30 years: accessibility, student engagement, financial sustainability, and strong outcomes.”
As Oklahoma’s flagship institution and a leader in higher education, OU continues to attract students at an unprecedented rate. This August, the university welcomed another record-breaking incoming class, with students from across Oklahoma, the nation, and the world choosing to join the OU Family.
Jeff Blahnik, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer, attributes this growth to the value of an OU degree, where academic excellence, state-of-the-art facilities, first-year research opportunities, hands-on learning, and a supportive campus community prepare graduates for success.
“At OU, students gain not only knowledge but also the skills, connections, and confidence to make an impact wherever their ambitions take them,” said Blahnik. “As Jeff Selingo discovered, today’s students are choosing institutions that provide opportunity and a strong foundation for their future. Being recognized as a Dream School is a testament to the work we do to empower our students so they may achieve their greatest potential. We are honored to be seen as a place where that journey begins.”
The OU application for Fall 2026 is now open. Prospective students can apply at ou.edu/apply.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center today celebrated the groundbreaking of its new 176,000-square-foot facility on the University of Oklahoma’s Schusterman Center campus, marking a transformative step forward in expanding access to National Cancer Institute-designated cancer care for thousands of residents in northeast Oklahoma.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded University of Oklahoma Professor Luis Cortest with a Chairman’s Award to Individuals for his project, “Juan de Mariana, the Last Great Spanish Thinker.”
The University of Oklahoma has earned recognition from two of the world’s leading rating agencies, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. Nationally, OU joins a select group of leading public flagship universities to receive an S&P upgrade so far this year, demonstrating external validation of OU’s progress and stability
