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University of Tulsa

#1 Best Colleges in Oklahoma
Private nonprofit Tulsa, OK · Urban · Southwest · 100% data
A- Earnings B+ Diversity B Value
Graduation Rate
73% B
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
Earnings (10yr)
$61,408 A-
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$15,000 C+
Close to the national average
Acceptance Rate
62% B
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +51% vs avg
Graduation +27% vs avg
Net Price +-12% vs avg
Mobility Top 68%

Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.3 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in Oklahoma.

23.3× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $23.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,340,804.

What The Data Says

  1. A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Graduates earn 51% more than the national college median.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $23.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

Economic Footprint

Inventor Rate
0.7%
Top 31%
Patents
18
Linked to graduates
World Rank
#501-600
Times Higher Education
Patent Citations
13
Downstream influence
Research Score
13/100
Times Higher Education

Why University of Tulsa Matters

University of Tulsa is a private research university in Tulsa, OK ranked #501-600 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and 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 Research University
Carnegie Class
R2 · High Research
Enrollment
2,813
Setting
Urban
Designations
66
Primary Strengths
Engineering, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical

Why students choose University of Tulsa

Elite STEM ecosystem
Engineering, computing, and the sciences dominate its programs
Research-intensive environment
Active labs and research-active faculty
Technology commercialization
Strong industry partnerships and knowledge transfer
Influential alumni network
High cross-class social capital and reach

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B-
Top 31% overall
A-
Earnings
$61,408 median
B
Value
4.1× net price
C+
Affordability
$15,000/yr net
B
Graduation
73% graduate
D+
Social Mobility
1.2% climb Q1→Q5
B
Selectivity
62% admit rate
B+
Diversity
0.71 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an enrollment of about 2,800 students and a 62% acceptance rate, the University of Tulsa is a good fit for those looking for a close-knit college experience where they can dive deep into their studies. Many students choose to focus on areas like Engineering, Business & Marketing, or Computer Science, among others. The solid graduation rate of 73% reflects the university’s commitment to supporting students through their academic journey.

After graduation, students can expect to earn an average salary of $61,408 within ten years, which is a meaningful figure in terms of financial mobility. This suggests that degrees from the University of Tulsa can lead to stable career paths. The affordability factor also plays a role, with a net price of around $15,000 after aid, making it accessible for many families.

When we look at the financial aspects, the median debt of $21,500 is manageable for most graduates, especially given the average earnings. Students who thrive here are typically those who are driven and engaged, ready to take advantage of the personalized attention that comes with a smaller campus environment. Overall, it seems like a place where students can not only find their academic passions but also prepare for a successful future.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective University of Tulsa is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into University of Tulsa? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

University of Tulsa, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,389. The graduation rate is roughly 73%.

Acceptance Rate
62%
Retention Rate
92%
SAT Average
1389
ACT Midpoint
26
SAT Range
1223–1530
ACT Range
25–34
Full-Time Faculty
71%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$12,082
Student–Faculty Ratio
10:1
Diversity Index
0.71
First-Gen Students
23%
Applicants
12,042
Admitted
8,331

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 University of Tulsa? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at University of Tulsa is $50,061, 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 $15,000. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,578 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$50,061
Out-of-State
$50,061
Avg Net Price
$15,000
Median Debt
$21,500
Pell Grant Rate
27%
Federal Loan Rate
33%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$5,578
Family Income $30K–$48K
$8,616
Family Income $48K–$75K
$10,871
Family Income $110K+
$25,473

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is University of Tulsa Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of University of Tulsa earn a median of $61,408, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$54,779
8 Years
$55,527
10 Years
$61,408
Debt-to-Earnings
0.35x
Earning > $25K
73%

Earnings Trajectory

$54,779 6yr $55,527 8yr $61,408 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (425)
56%
100% (425)
56%
100% (425)
56%
100% (425)
56%

How University Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation73%Earnings 10yr$61KNet Price$15KRetention92%Median Debt$22KPell Grant Rate27%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$6K$0-30K$9K$30-48K$11K$48-75K$25K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%5.1%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%22.7%MOBILITY1.15%

College ROI Calculator

Is University of Tulsa Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, University of Tulsa delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,000/year ($60,000 total). Graduates earn $61,408 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,400,804 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,340,804 (23.3× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 73% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$60,000
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,400,804
Net Return
$1,340,804
ROI Multiple
23.3×
Cost Per Year
$15,000
Median Debt
$21,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
73%

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 University of Tulsa Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

University of Tulsa 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 1.15%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Mobility Rate
1.15%
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
Success Rate
22.7%
If bottom 20% get in
From Bottom 20%
5.1%
Share of students
Parent Median Income
$93,600

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

How Connected Is University of Tulsa? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Tulsa. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, 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 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Economic Connectedness
1.75
Cross-class friendships
Friending Bias
-0.03
Lower = more inclusive
Volunteering Rate
8.9%
Support Ratio
1.00
Community support

Research Note

267%
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Data from CollegeRanker’s review of 5,745 U.S. colleges (n=1,503). Quartile comparison of mean bottom-quintile success rate, split by economic connectedness (Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas × Mobility Report Card).

Innovation & Knowledge Creation

Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education

University of Tulsa produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 18 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 13/100 research score.

Inventor Rate
0.73%
Top 31% nationally
Patents Produced
18
Linked to graduates
Patent Citations
13
Downstream influence
Research Score
13/100
Times Higher Ed
Academic Influence
25/100
Citation impact (THE)
Industry Engagement
72/100
Knowledge transfer (THE)
Inventors From Low-Income
0.79%
Bottom-20% families

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Federal Grants
$8,631,241

Top Programs

The fields University of Tulsa awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into University of Tulsa? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

University of Tulsa, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,389. The graduation rate is roughly 73%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Tulsa? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at University of Tulsa is $50,061, 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 $15,000. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,578 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.

Is University of Tulsa Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of University of Tulsa earn a median of $61,408, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Does University of Tulsa Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

University of Tulsa 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 1.15%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

How Connected Is University of Tulsa? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Tulsa. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, 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 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

How Research-Intensive Is University of Tulsa? World Rank, Teaching & Citations

Times Higher Education places University of Tulsa at #501-600 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 13/100, teaching at 30/100, and citation impact of 25/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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