in three communities. The three faculty members and 68 students have increased to more than 220 faculty and staff members and more than 2,300 students.
== Academics ==
Northwestern offers Bachelor of Arts degrees and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 40 areas of study. The university's academic programs are set up in two schools—the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional Studies.
== Athletics ==
The Northwestern Oklahoma State (NWOSU) athletic teams are called the Rangers. The university is a member of the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Great American Conference (GAC) since the 2012–13 academic year as a provisional member (achieving D-II full member status in 2015–16). The Rangers previously competed in the Sooner Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2001–02 to 2011–12; in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) from 1998–99 to 2000–01; as an NAIA Independent …