Northeastern State University (NSU) is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with branches in Broken Arrow and Muskogee. The university was founded in 1851 under the name Cherokee National Female Seminary. It boasts the only College of Optometry in Oklahoma. NSU offers 69 undergraduate degrees, 18 graduate degrees, and 13 preprofessional programs. The student-to-faculty ratio is 26 to 1. There is also a distance learning program, where students who cannot attend the university due to work or family obligations can complete courses via the internet or videoconferencing.

NSU's athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division II. The men's teams are known as the Redmen, while the women's teams are known as the Lady Red. The men's basketball team won the Division II championship in 2003. Other teams include women's basketball, football, softball, baseball and men's and women's soccer, golf, and tennis.

One of the unique opportunities for students at the Tahlequah campus is the Jazz Lab. Created in 1993, the building serves as a place where talented musicians can practice performing and listeners can enjoy the music. In addition to a performance venue, the Jazz Lab is also the site of the jazz program offices and classes. The university has two student jazz ensembles, and recently created a music major specializing in jazz.

NSU is also home to the NET Lab, a six story building on the south side of campus that is home to Micro-Computing Services and many computer labs.