Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Oklahoma
- 35
- Schools
- $44,662
- Avg. Earnings
- 38%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,636
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,468
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 35 schools run from $33,261 to $63,126, a 1.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Oklahoma City Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $38,146 in median earnings against $4,739 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Oklahoma City Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $4,739 a year in net price.
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University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus graduates 75% of its students, versus a 38% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Redlands Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.18× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 University of Tulsa ($61,408 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ($63,126), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Oklahoma City Community College costs $4,739 a year and Oklahoma Wesleyan University costs $28,358. Yet their graduates earn $38,146 and $59,841, nowhere near the $23,619 price gap.
- On value, Oklahoma City Community College beats University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Oklahoma City Community College and University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 ▲ +37% vs avg | $15,000 | 73% | 72 |
| 2 Southeastern Oklahoma State University #2 overall | $45,079 ▲ +1% vs avg | $8,039 | 32% | 71 |
| 3 Northeastern State University #3 overall | $45,379 ▲ +2% vs avg | $12,710 | 36% | 69 |
| $44,358 ▼ -1% vs avg | $10,104 | 33% | 68 | |
| $41,913 ▼ -6% vs avg | $6,624 | 41% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Oklahoma
This analysis ranks 35 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $44,662 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 38% and an average net price of $13,636.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Oklahoma City Community College — Net Price: $4,739 | Graduation Rate: 24%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — 75% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — Median alumni earnings: $63,126
CollegeRanker Primary Research
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?
$44,646
Median earnings (10yr)
34%
Median graduation rate
$12,844
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Oklahoma, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
The median graduation rate across these 35 schools is 34%. Median graduate earnings reach $44,646 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $12,844 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $17,519. Some 38% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.9%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Oklahoma pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $12,844 and median earnings of $44,646 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
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 72/100 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, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,000 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 #2
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #2 with a 71/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Northeastern State University lands at #3 with a 69/100 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, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,710 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 #4
Northwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #4 with a 68/100 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, 1% 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
Chickasha, OK · 66% accepted · $6,624 net
Why it ranks #5
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma lands at #5 with a 68/100 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, 6% 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 #6
Northern Oklahoma College lands at #6 with a 68/100 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, 16% 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 #7
Oklahoma City University lands at #7 with a 68/100 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, 22% 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 #8
Southwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #8 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,744 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,459 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 #9
University of Central Oklahoma lands at #9 with a 68/100 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, 8% 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 #10
Tulsa Community College lands at #10 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,746 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,288 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 #11
Eastern Oklahoma State College lands at #11 with a 67/100 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, 13% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Oklahoma City Community College lands at #12 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,146 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,739 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 #13
Redlands Community College lands at #13 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $37,224 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,964 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 #14
Western Oklahoma State College lands at #14 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,248 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,267 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 #15
Oklahoma Panhandle State University lands at #15 with a 65/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Oklahoma Baptist University lands at #16 with a 65/100 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, 8% 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 #17
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus lands at #17 with a 64/100 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, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,300 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 #18
Southern Nazarene University lands at #18 with a 63/100 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, 23% 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
Why it ranks #19
Oklahoma Christian University lands at #19 with a 63/100 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, 10% 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 #20
East Central University lands at #20 with a 63/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Carl Albert State College lands at #21 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $34,117 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,607 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 #22
Oral Roberts University lands at #22 with a 63/100 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, 5% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Seminole State College lands at #23 with a 62/100 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, 21% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Rogers State University lands at #24 with a 62/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,314 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 #25
Cameron University lands at #25 with a 62/100 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, 10% 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 #26
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology lands at #26 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $45,634 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,999 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.
Pillar breakdown
Stillwater, OK · 75% accepted · $17,447 net
Why it ranks #27
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus lands at #27 with a 61/100 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, 29% 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 #28
Rose State College lands at #28 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $37,555 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,148 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 #29
Langston University lands at #29 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $33,261 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,504 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 #30
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College lands at #30 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $38,337 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,001 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 #31
Mid-America Christian University lands at #31 with a 56/100 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% above 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 #32
Oklahoma Wesleyan University lands at #32 with a 53/100 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, 34% 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 #33
Murray State College lands at #33 with a 52/100 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, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,844 a year. 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 #34
Randall University lands at #34 with a 51/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (59/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $42,051 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,383 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 #35
College of the Muscogee Nation lands at #35 with a 48/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Net price runs $13,940 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 35 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college in Oklahoma can be a significant decision for students and families alike. With 36 institutions to consider in this state, prospective students have a range of options from which to choose, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these differences can help inform a more personalized college search.
The key factors that separate the top schools here include graduation rates, earnings potential, and student debt levels. For example, the average earnings for graduates across these Oklahoma schools stand at $44,485, while the average graduation rate is just 38%. This data highlights the importance of evaluating each institution not just by its reputation, but by the tangible outcomes that affect students' futures.
Take the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and Southeastern Oklahoma State University, for instance. The University of Oklahoma boasts earnings of $63,126 with a graduation rate of 75%, while Southeastern Oklahoma State has much lower earnings at $45,079 and a graduation rate of only 32%. This stark contrast underscores the importance of aligning your goals with the right institution as you navigate your college 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 26 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.9%. 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University (2.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 14% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Langston University enrolls the most, at 29.3%, 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 14.7% 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 1.39, 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
When looking at the data, one notable trend is the significant difference in outcomes between schools. For instance, the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus not only has higher earnings at $63,126 but also a graduation rate of 75%. In contrast, Southeastern Oklahoma State University has a graduation rate of just 32% and lower earnings at $45,079, which could impact long-term financial stability for its graduates.
As you sift through these schools, consider what matters most to you. Think about factors like location, program fit, and the overall campus experience. While financial outcomes are important, they should also align with your academic and personal goals. Create a list of what you prioritize in a college experience and see how these schools match up.
Ultimately, the data serves as a reminder of the stakes involved in college choice. The path from college to a stable life is shaped by factors like graduation rates and debt levels. For families weighing these options, it's crucial to make an informed decision based on both financial outcomes and personal fit. A thoughtful choice today can set the foundation 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 Colleges in Oklahoma: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Oklahoma ranking? +
University of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK ranks #1 in our 2026 Best 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 $44,662 average across the 34 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, Oklahoma City Community College leads: graduates earn a median $38,146 against net price of about $4,739 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 38% 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 $13,636 a year across the 35 ranked schools with cost data. Oklahoma City Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,739. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best 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 35 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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