# Best Colleges in Oklahoma

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 36 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-oklahoma

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Oklahoma

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- The average earnings for graduates in Oklahoma is $44,485.
- The highest graduation rate among the top schools is 75% at the University of Oklahoma.
- Southeastern Oklahoma State has a net price of $8,039, significantly lower than the top earners.
- Northern Oklahoma College has the lowest average debt at $11,000.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Tulsa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-tulsa) | Tulsa, OK | 73% | $61,408 | $15,000 | $21,500 | 0.35x |
| 2 | [Southeastern Oklahoma State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeastern-oklahoma-state-university) | Durant, OK | 32% | $45,079 | $8,039 | $17,000 | 0.38x |
| 3 | [Northeastern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeastern-state-university) | Tahlequah, OK | 36% | $45,379 | $12,710 | $17,367 | 0.38x |
| 4 | [Northwestern Oklahoma State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-oklahoma-state-university) | Alva, OK | 33% | $44,358 | $10,104 | $17,355 | 0.39x |
| 5 | [University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-science-and-arts-of-oklahoma) | Chickasha, OK | 41% | $41,913 | $6,624 | $21,750 | 0.52x |
| 6 | [Northern Oklahoma College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-oklahoma-college) | Tonkawa, OK | 44% | $37,566 | $5,625 | $11,000 | 0.29x |
| 7 | [Oklahoma City University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-city-university) | Oklahoma City, OK | 65% | $54,655 | $22,857 | $20,835 | 0.38x |
| 8 | [Southwestern Oklahoma State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-oklahoma-state-university) | Weatherford, OK | 37% | $45,744 | $14,459 | $15,954 | 0.35x |
| 9 | [University of Central Oklahoma](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-oklahoma) | Edmond, OK | 37% | $48,351 | $18,309 | $21,000 | 0.43x |
| 10 | [Tulsa Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tulsa-community-college) | Tulsa, OK | 28% | $39,746 | $6,288 | $12,223 | 0.31x |
| 11 | [Eastern Oklahoma State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-oklahoma-state-college) | Wilburton, OK | 29% | $38,658 | $10,830 | $11,900 | 0.31x |
| 12 | [Oklahoma City Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-city-community-college) | Oklahoma City, OK | 24% | $38,146 | $4,739 | $10,388 | 0.27x |
| 13 | [Redlands Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/redlands-community-college) | El Reno, OK | 34% | $37,224 | $5,964 | $6,750 | 0.18x |
| 14 | [Western Oklahoma State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-oklahoma-state-college) | Altus, OK | 32% | $38,248 | $7,267 | $9,500 | 0.25x |
| 15 | [Oklahoma Panhandle State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-panhandle-state-university) | Goodwell, OK | 23% | $44,933 | $7,413 | $12,500 | 0.28x |
| 16 | [Oklahoma Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-baptist-university) | Shawnee, OK | 51% | $48,434 | $20,958 | $24,801 | 0.51x |
| 17 | [Connors State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/connors-state-college) | Warner, OK | 32% | $38,469 | $10,199 | $11,500 | 0.3x |
| 18 | [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus) | Norman, OK | 75% | $63,126 | $15,300 | $20,654 | 0.33x |
| 19 | [Southern Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-nazarene-university) | Bethany, OK | 50% | $54,951 | $22,084 | $21,900 | 0.4x |
| 20 | [Oklahoma Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-christian-university) | Edmond, OK | 55% | $49,203 | $21,872 | $26,000 | 0.53x |
| 21 | [East Central University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-central-university) | Ada, OK | 34% | $44,962 | $8,683 | $17,671 | 0.39x |
| 22 | [Carl Albert State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carl-albert-state-college) | Poteau, OK | 42% | $34,117 | $14,607 | $9,362 | 0.27x |
| 23 | [Oral Roberts University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oral-roberts-university) | Tulsa, OK | 56% | $46,885 | $25,365 | $27,000 | 0.58x |
| 24 | [Seminole State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/seminole-state-college) | Seminole, OK | 35% | $35,390 | $14,628 | $11,000 | 0.31x |
| 25 | [Rogers State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rogers-state-university) | Claremore, OK | 27% | $43,166 | $15,314 | $20,500 | 0.47x |
| 26 | [Cameron University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cameron-university) | Lawton, OK | 26% | $40,118 | $10,912 | $21,500 | 0.54x |
| 27 | [Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-state-university-institute-of-technology) | Okmulgee, OK | 42% | $45,634 | $10,999 | $11,334 | 0.25x |
| 28 | [Oklahoma State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus) | Stillwater, OK | 67% | $57,413 | $17,447 | $20,500 | 0.36x |
| 29 | [Rose State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rose-state-college) | Midwest City, OK | 20% | $37,555 | $12,148 | $10,453 | 0.28x |
| 30 | [Langston University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/langston-university) | Langston, OK | 17% | $33,261 | $11,504 | $26,000 | 0.78x |
| 31 | [Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeastern-oklahoma-am-college) | Miami, OK | 29% | $38,337 | $11,001 | $11,000 | 0.29x |
| 32 | [Mid-America Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mid-america-christian-university) | Oklahoma City, OK | 40% | $46,116 | $16,692 | $26,394 | 0.57x |
| 33 | [Oklahoma Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-wesleyan-university) | Bartlesville, OK | 32% | $59,841 | $28,358 | $24,813 | 0.41x |
| 34 | [Murray State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/murray-state-college) | Tishomingo, OK | 27% | $36,545 | $12,844 | $13,387 | 0.37x |
| 35 | [Randall University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/randall-university) | Moore, OK | 23% | $42,051 | $16,383 | $22,626 | 0.54x |
| 36 | [College of the Muscogee Nation](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-muscogee-nation) | Okmulgee, OK | 24% | N/A | $13,940 | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Oklahoma." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-oklahoma

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.