Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Oklahoma
- 25
- Schools
- $44,419
- Avg. Earnings
- 36%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,190
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,762
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $33,261 at the low end to $63,126 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Oklahoma City Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $38,146 against $4,739 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 Oklahoma City Community College, at $4,739 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 36% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Redlands Community College: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($41,913 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. Oklahoma City Community College ($4,739/yr) and Oklahoma Wesleyan University ($28,358/yr) produce graduates earning $38,146 and $59,841 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $23,619 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Oklahoma City Community College outperforms University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Oklahoma City Community College and University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $44K 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma #1 overall | $41,913 ▼ -6% vs avg | $6,624 | 41% | 72 |
| 2 Eastern Oklahoma State College #2 overall | $38,658 ▼ -13% vs avg | $10,830 | 29% | 69 |
| 3 Redlands Community College #3 overall | $37,224 ▼ -16% vs avg | $5,964 | 34% | 69 |
| $39,746 ▼ -11% vs avg | $6,288 | 28% | 69 | |
| $45,379 ▲ +2% vs avg | $12,710 | 36% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Oklahoma
This analysis ranks 25 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $44,419 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 36% and an average net price of $13,190.
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
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$44,358
Median earnings (10yr)
33%
Median graduation rate
$11,504
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Demand for mental-health and social-service professionals keeps rising, driven by greater awareness of mental-health needs, an aging population, and expanding access to services. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The social return is high and the financial return is capped, which makes program cost the most important variable in the value equation.
Start with the medians across these 25 schools. Graduates earn a median of $44,358 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 33%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $11,504 a year with about $17,671 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 39% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.9%.
In human services, the cost of the degree matters as much as the career that follows it. Median earnings of roughly $44,358 and a net price of about $11,504 leave little room for heavy borrowing. Graduates who keep debt minimal do best in a field where the rewards are primarily social rather than financial.
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
Chickasha, OK · 66% accepted · $6,624 net
Why it ranks #1
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma lands at #1 with a 72/100 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 #2
Eastern Oklahoma State College lands at #2 with a 69/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Redlands Community College lands at #3 with a 69/100 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, 16% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Tulsa Community College lands at #4 with a 69/100 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 #5
Northeastern State University lands at #5 with a 68/100 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 #6
Western Oklahoma State College lands at #6 with a 67/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Oklahoma Panhandle State University lands at #7 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, 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #8 with a 67/100 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 #9
Northwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #9 with a 65/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Seminole State College lands at #10 with a 65/100 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, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,628 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Central Oklahoma lands at #11 with a 63/100 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, 9% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Oklahoma City Community College lands at #12 with a 62/100 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, 14% 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
Southern Nazarene University lands at #13 with a 61/100 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, 24% 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 #14
East Central University lands at #14 with a 60/100 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 #15
Oklahoma Baptist University lands at #15 with a 60/100 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, 9% 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 #16
Oral Roberts University lands at #16 with a 59/100 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, 6% 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 #17
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus lands at #17 with a 59/100 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, 42% 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
Mid-America Christian University lands at #18 with a 59/100 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, 4% 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 #19
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College lands at #19 with a 59/100 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 #20
Cameron University lands at #20 with a 58/100 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 #21
Oklahoma Wesleyan University lands at #21 with a 57/100 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, 35% 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
Stillwater, OK · 75% accepted · $17,447 net
Why it ranks #22
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus lands at #22 with a 57/100 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 #23
Randall University lands at #23 with a 54/100 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, 5% 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 #24
Langston University lands at #24 with a 53/100 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, 25% 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 #25
Rose State College lands at #25 with a 53/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,148 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 25 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
If you're exploring psychology programs in Oklahoma, you're not alone. With 23 schools offering degrees in this field, many students are weighing their options to find the right fit. The average earnings for psychology graduates in the state hover around $44,504, which is a crucial figure when considering potential return on investment.
What distinguishes the top schools from the rest? Key factors such as graduation rates, average debt, and post-graduation earnings play a significant role. For instance, the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus stands out with a remarkable 75% graduation rate and average earnings of $63,126. In contrast, schools like Mid-America Christian University show lower graduation rates at 40% and earnings of $46,116, highlighting the importance of outcomes when evaluating programs.
Two schools that illustrate this contrast are the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and East Central University. While the former has a graduation rate of 75% and average earnings of $63,126, East Central’s lower graduation rate of 34% and earnings of $44,962 suggest a trade-off. This comparison emphasizes the importance of graduation rates and potential earnings in guiding your choice.
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 18 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 Oklahoma Panhandle State University (2.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 14.6% 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% across the list, peaking at 20.7% at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
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 1.35, 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
To understand why some schools excel while others lag, consider the differences between the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and Northeastern State University. The former boasts a graduation rate of 75% and average earnings of $63,126, while Northeastern State has a much lower graduation rate at 36% and average earnings of $45,379. This disparity highlights how completion rates and earning potential can impact a graduate's future.
After reviewing the list, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing location, campus culture, or financial considerations? Compare each school's net price and debt load against their graduation rates and earnings. This approach will help you find a program that aligns with your values and goals.
Ultimately, the data presents a clear picture of the impact of your college choice on your life trajectory. For instance, a family might choose the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus because of its strong outcomes, potentially leading to a more stable financial future for their child. Each decision holds weight, shaping not just education but long-term quality of life.
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 Psychology Colleges in Oklahoma: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Oklahoma ranking? +
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology Colleges in Oklahoma ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $41,913 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 41% 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 $44,419 average across the 25 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 36% 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 $13,190 a year across the 25 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 Psychology 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 25 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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