Southwestern Oklahoma State University
#2 Best Nursing Colleges in Oklahoma- Graduation Rate
- 37% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,744 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $14,459 C+
- 16% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,514
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.0 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Nursing Colleges in Oklahoma.
Every $1 spent returns $17.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $923,506.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 37% — 35% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.87% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southwestern Oklahoma State University Matters
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public university in Weatherford, OK and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,514
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Education
Why students choose Southwestern Oklahoma State 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 $14,459 a year after grants and scholarships — 16% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,744 ten years after enrolling — 12% above the typical college, against $15,954 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 12% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.54 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 3,500 students, Southwestern Oklahoma State University offers a welcoming environment for those looking to dive into programs like Health Professions, Business, Education, and Computer Science. This school is a good fit for individuals who appreciate a close-knit community and are focused on practical, career-driven education. The emphasis on these fields suggests a commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges, making it a suitable choice for those eager to enter the workforce with relevant skills.
Graduates from Southwestern Oklahoma State University see an average earning of about $45,744 a decade after completing their studies. This figure helps illustrate the potential return on investment for students. Many who attend are mindful of affordability, as nearly 40% receive Pell Grants, which can ease the financial burden. The balance of education quality and cost can make a significant difference when considering the future.
In terms of financials, the net price after aid sits at around $14,459, which is relatively manageable compared to many other institutions. With a median debt of $15,954, students here tend to graduate with a reasonable financial load. Those who thrive often appreciate the supportive atmosphere and are motivated to leverage their education for steady career advancement.
Rankings
- #2 Best Nursing Colleges in Oklahoma
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Oklahoma
- #6 Best Master's Programs in Oklahoma
- #7 Best Computer Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Oklahoma
- #7 Best Data Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #8 Best Colleges in Oklahoma
- #8 Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma
Can I Get In?
How selective Southwestern Oklahoma State 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Weatherford, Oklahoma, Southwestern Oklahoma State University enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,875
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 2,571
- Admitted
- 1,974
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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwestern Oklahoma State University is $8,499, 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 $14,459. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,987 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,954 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,469
- Out-of-State
- $8,499
- Avg Net Price
- $14,459
- Median Debt
- $15,954
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 31%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,987
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,094
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,069
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,595
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 Southwestern Oklahoma State 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $45,744, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,896
- 8 Years
- $46,753
- 10 Years
- $45,744
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (202)
- 26%
- 100% (202)
- 26%
- 100% (202)
- 26%
- 100% (202)
- 26%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
How Southwestern 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southwestern Oklahoma State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,459/year ($57,836 total). Graduates earn $45,744 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $981,342 in total earnings — a net gain of $923,506 (17.0× your investment). The median debt is $15,954, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 37% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $57,836
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $981,342
- Net Return
- $923,506
- ROI Multiple
- 17.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,459
- Median Debt
- $15,954
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.87%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $61,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.87%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $83,829
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,898,602
- Investment Income
- $340,025
Top Programs
The fields Southwestern Oklahoma State 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.
- Health Professions 39% $74,237 early-career
- Business & Marketing 18% $44,760 early-career
- Humanities 10%
- Education 7% $44,210 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $54,274 early-career
- Criminal Justice 2%
- Psychology 1% $34,548 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 1%
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 Southwestern Oklahoma State 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Weatherford, Oklahoma, Southwestern Oklahoma State University enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwestern Oklahoma State University is $8,499, 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 $14,459. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,987 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,954 in federal student loans.
Is Southwestern Oklahoma State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $45,744, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southwestern Oklahoma State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.87%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $61,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southwestern Oklahoma State 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.54, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
- University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL · Close peer36% grad $44,232 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- National Louis UniversityChicago, IL · Close peer33% grad $45,799 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northeastern State UniversityTahlequah, OK · Close peer36% grad $45,379 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer48% grad $45,344 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SC · Close peer40% grad $45,603 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Close peer43% grad $48,587 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southwestern Oklahoma State 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.54, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note