There is a public university in Alva, OK called Northwestern Oklahoma State University. In 1897, Northwestern Oklahoma State University was founded. The motto of the Northwestern Oklahoma State University is Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow and its official colors are red and black. Out of total 2,095 (2017) students enrolled at NOSU, 1,767 belong to undergraduate courses while 203 are postgraduate students. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is home to an ethnically diverse student body. At NOSU around 61% are white, 11% belong to Hispanic ethnicity, and 11% belong to an unknown race or ethnicity. Further, around 81% of the students are 24 and under. When it comes to gender distribution at the varsity, around 60% of the students are females and 40% are males. The college has produced several notable alumni including Patrick Crayton, Mike Hargrove, Lynn Scott, and Gaylon Nickerson in its 123 years of existence. The school believes in the all-round growth of the students and therefore, encourages students to take part in several sporting activities, conducted inside the campus. A total of 134 programs, including both residential and online, are currently offered by NOSU. The university also has a long list of accreditations. It has been accredited by ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs), CSWE (Council on Social Work Education), HLC Higher Learning Commission, and NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education).