Founded in 1909, Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SEOU) is a public university based in the city of Durant. The area is also known for being the headquarters of the Choctaw nation, a Native American tribe based in the region.

The Durant campus itself is 15 miles from the Texas border and 90 miles from Dallas. It is also just 15 miles from Lake Texoma, a scenic spot and one of the largest reservoirs in the nation. SEOU has affiliate bases at four other locations in Oklahoma, as well as at Grayson College in Denison and at Van Alstyne, both in Texas.

A wide range of practical courses are taught at SEOU, and five of its most popular majors are elementary education, biology, occupational safety & health, psychology, and health & physical education.

The 22,000 square foot General Classroom Building at SEOU includes three computer labs and a 75 seater classroom. For adults who are balancing work with study SEOU also offers online graduate courses, including 12 online Master of Business Administration degrees.

Sports teams at SEOU are known as the Savage Storm, and are a member of the NCCA Division II. There are a total of twelve programmes, and Rodeo is a competitive sport with both male and female programmes. American football games are played at Laird Field, and the team itself won three consecutive Lone Star Conference championships between 2004 and 2006.

Some famous alumni of SEOU include Indian actor Manoj Manchu, US General Ira Eaker, governor of Oklahoma Raymond Gary, and Gregory Pyle, chief of the Choctaw nation.