University of Tulsa in United States of America

The University of Tulsa has its roots in the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls, a small boarding school in Muskogee, Indian Territory, which was founded in 1882. In 1894, at the request of the Synod of Indian Territory, the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church elevated the academy’s status and chartered it as Henry Kendall College, a name that honored the first general secretary of the Home Missions Board. The first classes in the new college were held on Sept. 12, 1894.

In the years following, financial difficulties prompted school officials to ask the Synod of Indian Territory to assume control, sell the school’s land and seek a new location. Successfully courted by the business and professional community of Tulsa, which was booming after the discovery of oil at Glenpool, Henry Kendall College moved to Tulsa in 1907, the year of Oklahoma’s statehood. Several years later, a new college, to be named after oilman Robert M. McFarlin, was proposed for the city. Aware that Tulsa was not large enough to support two competing colleges, the Henry Kendall College trustees proposed that the contemplated McFarlin College and Kendall College affiliate under the common name “The University of Tulsa.” McFarlin College never materialized, and a charter for the new University of Tulsa was approved on Nov. 9, 1920, by the Kendall College trustees. By 1928, the articles of incorporation had been amended to create the modern structure as an independent school corporation governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees.

Today, TU operates as an independent, nondenominational university. A top-rated research institution, the university welcomes students from many different faiths and countries. The TU campus fosters a rich, diverse experience for students and faculty regardless of religious or cultural background through a strong belief in mutual respect and understanding.

The University of Tulsa fosters a diverse campus life that gives students close connections with faculty who are leaders in their fields. We're proud to be a Top 100 private research university and No. 79 among all best value universities in the United States.

Our Mission
We are a student-centered research university that cultivates interconnected learning experiences to explore complex ideas and create new knowledge in a spirit of free inquiry. Guided by our commitment to diversity, equity, and service, we prepare individuals to make meaningful contributions to our campus, our community, and our world.

Why The University of Tulsa
From TU’s beautiful campus and exceptional faculty to hands-on research opportunities and student support – find out why TU is the best choice for high-achieving students who are seeking a transformative academic environment.

#1 National Merit Scholars Per Capita in the U.S.
13 Average Class Size
150+ Student Organizations
39% Multicultural Students
9:1 Student-Faculty Ratio
13 Average Class Size
145+ Degree Programs
39% Multicultural Students