Oklahoma ranks near the bottom nationally in multiple corners of the technology industry, and the state loses more than half of its STEM graduates to other states, according to a new report from the Oklahoma Technology Alliance. The group commissioned a study comparing Oklahoma's technology sector to the rest of the country, and the numbers paint a stark picture of a state with cheap electricity and federal research wins but a shrinking grip on its own talent.
The report puts Oklahoma at 47th in tech job growth, 41st in patents, 40th in advanced industry jobs, and 35th in research and development funding, according to KFOR. Only 47% of people with STEM degrees stay in Oklahoma after graduating, while 17% leave specifically for Texas, the outlet reports. Separate figures from Oklahoma Business Voice show tech sector job growth in the state reached just 2.3% between 2020 and 2025, compared to 10.1% nationally, even though roughly 78% of the state's 119,290 technology workers are employed outside dedicated tech companies.
Why Universities Are Under Pressure to Commercialize Research
Matt Hulver, vice president of research and partnerships at the University of Oklahoma, told KFOR that universities need to do a better job moving their work and discoveries out of the lab and into the broader economy. He said a stronger case needs to be made to state legislators to convince them that additional investment in research and development is necessary. The Oklahoma Technology Alliance report calls for exactly that kind of increased investment, arguing it would make it easier to turn school-based research into new products, new businesses, and industry growth, per the same KFOR report.
The pressure on universities isn't happening in a vacuum. The University of Oklahoma launched Project 200 in May, an initiative focused on energy, severe weather, health, and national security, according to the university. The school also secured a five-year cooperative-agreement renewal from NOAA and the U.S. Department of Commerce, worth up to $220 million, this month to continue severe weather research through its Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations, as reported by EurekAlert!.
Federal Dollars Flow In, But Startups Still Struggle
Oklahoma has landed some significant federal wins in niche technology sectors. The U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded roughly $51 million in July 2024 to the Tulsa Hub for Equitable and Trustworthy Autonomy, funding meant to build the Greater Tulsa Region’s capacity in autonomous systems and related technologies, according to the agency's announcement carried by the University of Tulsa.
Oklahoma ranks 44th nationally in federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer funding, per the same Oklahoma Business Voice report. The state's dedicated tech development agency, OCAST, runs an Industry Innovation Program offering grants up to $500,000, but the money requires a dollar-for-dollar match and at least 51% of the project to be executed in-state, according to Dawnbreaker.
Business Leaders Call for Collective Action
Travis Gould, managing director at Accenture Oklahoma, told KFOR that the state needs skilled people and collaboration to capture growth and contribute meaningfully to the economy. He said retaining STEM talent in Oklahoma will require collective action from businesses, government, and education working together rather than separately. Brent Skarky, spokesperson for the State Chamber, echoed that Oklahoma should proactively address its technology-sector challenges rather than waiting for the gap to widen further, the outlet reported.
The Oklahoma Technology Alliance believes delaying action only makes the research-investment and talent gaps harder to close each year, and technology leaders broadly agree the solutions start with education. The group frames this as a moment of choice for Oklahoma, one that will shape the state's technological future for years to come.
A Decade of Slow Growth Looms Over the Debate
The urgency comes against a backdrop of broader economic stagnation. Oklahoma's gross domestic product grew just 14% over the past decade, ranking 43rd nationally and last in its region, according to the Oklahoma State Chamber. That's despite Oklahoma ranking first nationwide for lowest cost of doing business in 2025 according to CNBC.
Low overhead alone hasn't solved the innovation gap. The Oklahoma Prosperity Summit was scheduled in 2025 and 2026.
