Southern Nazarene University
#4 Best Business Colleges in Oklahoma- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,951 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,084 D+
- 29% more than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,455
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.5 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Business Colleges in Oklahoma.
Every $1 spent returns $14.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,191,190.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 35% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $14.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern Nazarene University Matters
Southern Nazarene University is a private university in Bethany, OK and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,455
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 59
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Humanities, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose Southern Nazarene University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,084 a year after grants and scholarships — 29% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,951 ten years after enrolling — 35% above the typical college, against $21,900 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 75% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern Nazarene University is a good fit for students looking for a close-knit community with a strong focus on personal growth and academic support. With around 1,455 students, the environment is intimate, allowing for meaningful connections with peers and professors. Many students pursue degrees in Business and Marketing, Education, Humanities, Computer Science and IT, or Health Professions—programs that align well with job market demands.
In terms of what happens after graduation, the average earnings for graduates ten years out is $54,951. That’s a solid starting point for many, especially considering the school’s emphasis on preparing students for real-world challenges. With nearly half of the students receiving Pell Grants, affordability is a key aspect here, which often allows graduates to enter the workforce without overwhelming debt.
The net price after aid is about $22,084, while the median debt stands at $21,900. This means most students can manage their financial obligations without excessive strain. Southern Nazarene University tends to attract individuals who thrive in a supportive atmosphere, where they can engage deeply with their studies and community.
Rankings
- #4 Best Business Colleges in Oklahoma
- #13 Best Psychology Colleges in Oklahoma
- #14 Best Bachelor's Programs in Oklahoma
- #14 Best Master's Programs in Oklahoma
- #15 Best Computer Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Oklahoma
- #15 Best Data Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #17 Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern Nazarene University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Nazarene University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bethany, Oklahoma, Southern Nazarene University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,779
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.70
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Nazarene University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Nazarene University is $31,190, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,084. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,931 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,900 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $31,190
- Out-of-State
- $31,190
- Avg Net Price
- $22,084
- Median Debt
- $21,900
- Pell Grant Rate
- 47%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 60%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,931
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,323
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,590
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,434
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Southern Nazarene University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southern Nazarene University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Nazarene University earn a median of $54,951, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,255
- 8 Years
- $51,885
- 10 Years
- $54,951
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (98)
- 39%
- 100% (98)
- 39%
- 100% (98)
- 39%
- 100% (98)
- 39%
How Southern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Southern Nazarene University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern Nazarene University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,084/year ($88,336 total). Graduates earn $54,951 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,279,526 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,191,190 (14.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,900, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $88,336
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,279,526
- Net Return
- $1,191,190
- ROI Multiple
- 14.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,084
- Median Debt
- $21,900
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Southern Nazarene University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Nazarene University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.03%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.03%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $112,768
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,480,044
- Investment Income
- $-5,503,385
Top Programs
The fields Southern Nazarene University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 34% $63,612 early-career
- Humanities 10%
- Health Professions 10% $69,715 early-career
- Psychology 5% $48,199 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Education 4% $43,954 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $79,816 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern Nazarene University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Nazarene University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bethany, Oklahoma, Southern Nazarene University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Nazarene University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Nazarene University is $31,190, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,084. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,931 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,900 in federal student loans.
Is Southern Nazarene University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Nazarene University earn a median of $54,951, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southern Nazarene University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Nazarene University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.03%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern Nazarene University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Nazarene University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern Nazarene University.
- Adrian CollegeAdrian, MI · Close peer52% grad $55,504 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of LynchburgLynchburg, VA · Close peer60% grad $56,380 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater, VA · Close peer51% grad $53,453 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of DubuqueDubuque, IA · Close peer41% grad $51,190 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA · Close peer55% grad $52,824 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Saint Francis-Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Close peer58% grad $55,362 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern Nazarene University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Nazarene University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note