Rankings / By State
Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma
- 23
- Schools
- $47,324
- Avg. Earnings
- 43%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,129
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,492
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $35,390 at the low end to $63,126 at the top. That 1.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Northern Oklahoma College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $37,566 against $5,625 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Northern Oklahoma College, at $5,625 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus graduates 75% of its students, well above the 43% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Oklahoma Panhandle State University: graduates owe only 0.28× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Tulsa ($61,408 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ($63,126). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Northern Oklahoma College ($5,625/yr) and Oklahoma Wesleyan University ($28,358/yr) produce graduates earning $37,566 and $59,841 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $22,733 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Northern Oklahoma College outperforms University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Northern Oklahoma College and University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $45K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Tulsa #1 overall | $61,408 ▲ +30% vs avg | $15,000 | 73% | 76 |
| 2 Southeastern Oklahoma State University #2 overall | $45,079 ▼ -5% vs avg | $8,039 | 32% | 72 |
| 3 Seminole State College #3 overall | $35,390 ▼ -25% vs avg | $14,628 | 35% | 72 |
| $44,358 ▼ -6% vs avg | $10,104 | 33% | 71 | |
| $45,379 ▼ -4% vs avg | $12,710 | 36% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma
This analysis ranks 23 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,324 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 43% and an average net price of $15,129.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Northern Oklahoma College — Net Price: $5,625 | Graduation Rate: 44%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — 75% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — Median alumni earnings: $63,126
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Oklahoma Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Oklahoma?
$45,379
Median earnings (10yr)
37%
Median graduation rate
$15,000
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Oklahoma serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 23 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $45,379 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 37%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $15,000 a year, with about $20,654 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 37% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.8%.
For Oklahoma, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $15,000 and graduates earning a median of $45,379, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Tulsa lands at #1 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $61,408 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,000 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #2 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $45,079 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,039 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Seminole State College lands at #3 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,390 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,628 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Northwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #4 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,358 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,104 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Northeastern State University lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,379 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,710 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chickasha, OK · 66% accepted · $6,624 net
Why it ranks #6
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma lands at #6 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $41,913 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,624 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Northern Oklahoma College lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $37,566 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,625 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Eastern Oklahoma State College lands at #8 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,658 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,830 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Oklahoma City University lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,655 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,857 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Central Oklahoma lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $48,351 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,309 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Oklahoma Baptist University lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,434 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,958 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Oklahoma Panhandle State University lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,933 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,413 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Oklahoma Christian University lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $49,203 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,872 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus lands at #14 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $63,126 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,300 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
East Central University lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $44,962 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,683 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Rogers State University lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,166 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,314 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Southern Nazarene University lands at #17 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,951 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,084 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Stillwater, OK · 75% accepted · $17,447 net
Why it ranks #18
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus lands at #18 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,413 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,447 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Oral Roberts University lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,885 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,365 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Cameron University lands at #20 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $40,118 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,912 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Mid-America Christian University lands at #21 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $46,116 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,692 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Oklahoma Wesleyan University lands at #22 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $59,841 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,358 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Murray State College lands at #23 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,545 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,844 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 23 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
If you're considering a degree in biology, Oklahoma has several strong options that can lead to solid career outcomes. With earnings for biology graduates averaging around $47,730, these colleges are worth a closer look, especially given their varying graduation rates and cost structures.
The schools listed here stand out based on key metrics like earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels. Higher earnings and lower debt mean a greater return on investment, while graduation rates reflect program effectiveness. This list ranks biology programs in Oklahoma to help you identify where you might thrive academically and financially.
Take the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, for example. It boasts the highest average earnings on this list at $63,126, alongside a 75% graduation rate. In contrast, East Central University has lower earnings at $44,962 and struggles with a graduation rate of just 34%. These differences highlight the importance of assessing both outcomes and costs as you explore your options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 17 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.8%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Southeastern Oklahoma State University leads the group at 3.2%, with Cameron University (3%) and Oklahoma Panhandle State University (2.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 12.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Seminole State College enrolls the most, at 21.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 15.6% across the list, peaking at 22.7% at University of Tulsa.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Oklahoma Baptist University is highest at 1.76.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
There’s a clear divide in outcomes among the schools listed. For instance, the University of Tulsa has a graduation rate of 73%, leading to average earnings of $61,408. In contrast, Northern Oklahoma College, while having the lowest net price at $5,625, lags behind with a graduation rate of just 44% and average earnings of $37,566. This illustrates that investment in your education can pay off significantly in terms of earnings potential.
As you weigh your options, consider what matters most to you. Are you looking for the highest earnings, the lowest debt, or a supportive campus environment? Each school offers a different blend of these factors. Think about your personal circumstances, such as whether you need financial aid or if you're willing to move to a different part of the state for better opportunities.
Ultimately, the data here reflects how well a college biology program prepares its graduates for stable careers. With significant variation in outcomes, it's crucial to choose a program that aligns with your financial situation and career goals. A thoughtful decision can pave the way for a successful future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma ranking? +
University of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $61,408 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 73% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,126 ten years after enrollment, well above the $47,324 average across the 23 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Northern Oklahoma College leads: graduates earn a median $37,566 against net price of about $5,625 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 75%, compared with a 43% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,129 a year across the 23 ranked schools with cost data. Northern Oklahoma College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,625. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 23 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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