Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma
- 49
- Schools
- $41,997
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $12,871
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,650
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 49 schools run from $28,954 to $63,126, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Central Technology Center delivers the most for the money: roughly $36,351 in median earnings against $2,674 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Central Technology Center is the lowest-cost school here at $2,674 a year in net price.
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Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee graduates 98% of its students, versus a 48% 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($41,913 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ($63,126), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Central Technology Center costs $2,674 a year and Oklahoma Wesleyan University costs $28,358. Yet their graduates earn $36,351 and $59,841, nowhere near the $25,684 price gap.
- On value, Central Technology Center beats University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the 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 Central Technology Center and Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee. 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 $42K 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 ▲ +0% vs avg | $6,624 | 41% | 84 |
| 2 Oklahoma City Community College #2 overall | $38,146 ▼ -9% vs avg | $4,739 | 24% | 84 |
| 3 Northern Oklahoma College #3 overall | $37,566 ▼ -11% vs avg | $5,625 | 44% | 82 |
| $45,079 ▲ +7% vs avg | $8,039 | 32% | 81 | |
| $39,746 ▼ -5% vs avg | $6,288 | 28% | 81 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma
This analysis ranks 49 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $41,997 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $12,871.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Central Technology Center — Net Price: $2,674 | Graduation Rate: 89%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee — 98% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — Median alumni earnings: $63,126
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$40,956
Median earnings (10yr)
40%
Median graduation rate
$12,148
Median net price
2.0%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
Across the 49 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $40,956 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 40%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $12,148 a year, with about $17,178 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 33% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.0%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $12,148, with graduates earning a median of $40,956 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
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 84/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Oklahoma City Community College lands at #2 with a 84/100 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, 9% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Northern Oklahoma College lands at #3 with a 82/100 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, 11% 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 #4
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #4 with a 81/100 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, 7% 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 #5
Tulsa Community College lands at #5 with a 81/100 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, 5% 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 #6
Redlands Community College lands at #6 with a 81/100 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, 11% 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 #7
East Central University lands at #7 with a 79/100 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, 7% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Western Oklahoma State College lands at #8 with a 79/100 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, 9% 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 #9
Oklahoma Panhandle State University lands at #9 with a 78/100 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, 7% 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 #10
Northwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #10 with a 77/100 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% 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 #11
Metro Technology Centers lands at #11 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $38,830 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,561 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 #12
Connors State College lands at #12 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,469 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,199 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
Central Technology Center lands at #13 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $36,351 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,674 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
Northeastern State University lands at #14 with a 73/100 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, 8% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Eastern Oklahoma State College lands at #15 with a 72/100 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, 8% 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 #16
Cameron University lands at #16 with a 72/100 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, 4% 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 #17
Langston University lands at #17 with a 71/100 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, 21% 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 #18
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College lands at #18 with a 70/100 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, 9% 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 #19
Tulsa Technology Center lands at #19 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (36/100). Graduates earn a median $41,793 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,723 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 #20
Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $33,208 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,895 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 #21
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology lands at #21 with a 69/100 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, 9% 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
Why it ranks #22
Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester lands at #22 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (23/100). Graduates earn a median $31,625 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,569 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 #23
University of Tulsa lands at #23 with a 69/100 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, 46% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Southwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #24 with a 67/100 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, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,459 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 #25
Rose State College lands at #25 with a 67/100 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, 11% 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
Why it ranks #26
Great Plains Technology Center lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (36/100). Graduates earn a median $42,376 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,128 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 #27
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus lands at #27 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, 50% 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 #28
Carl Albert State College lands at #28 with a 65/100 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, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,607 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 #29
Seminole State College lands at #29 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, 16% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Murray State College lands at #30 with a 65/100 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, 13% 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 #31
Rogers State University lands at #31 with a 64/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Randall University lands at #32 with a 63/100 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, 0% above 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 #33
Mid-America Christian University lands at #33 with a 62/100 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, 10% 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 #34
Francis Tuttle Technology Center lands at #34 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $32,996 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,283 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
Stillwater, OK · 75% accepted · $17,447 net
Why it ranks #35
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus lands at #35 with a 62/100 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, 37% 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 #36
University of Central Oklahoma lands at #36 with a 61/100 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, 15% 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 #37
Northeast Technology Center lands at #37 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (32/100). Graduates earn a median $34,457 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,478 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 #38
Canadian Valley Technology Center lands at #38 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (27/100). Graduates earn a median $31,355 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,871 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 #39
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center lands at #39 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $29,012 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,939 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 #40
College of the Muscogee Nation lands at #40 with a 56/100 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
Why it ranks #41
Oklahoma Baptist University lands at #41 with a 56/100 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, 15% 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 #42
Southwest Technology Center lands at #42 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (37/100). Graduates earn a median $48,966 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,313 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 #43
Oklahoma Christian University lands at #43 with a 54/100 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, 17% 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 #44
Oklahoma City University lands at #44 with a 54/100 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, 30% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Southern Nazarene University lands at #45 with a 51/100 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, 31% 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 #46
Oral Roberts University lands at #46 with a 48/100 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, 12% 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 #47
Clary Sage College lands at #47 with a 46/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $28,954 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,280 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 #48
Community Care College lands at #48 with a 41/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $28,954 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,489 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 #49
Oklahoma Wesleyan University lands at #49 with a 41/100 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, 42% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 49 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding an affordable college can be a daunting task for many families. In Oklahoma, several institutions stand out for their low net prices, making higher education more accessible. With the average cost of in-state tuition rising, identifying schools that balance affordability with solid outcomes is crucial for students and parents alike.
The schools on this list not only feature low net prices, but they also demonstrate varying degrees of success in key areas like graduation rates, debt levels, and post-graduation earnings. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these institutions is around $41,997, while the average graduation rate is 48%. These figures help highlight which schools provide a better return on investment.
Consider the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma with a net price of $6,624 and reported earnings of $41,913, compared to Oklahoma City Community College, which has a lower net price of $4,739 but significantly lower earnings at $38,146. This contrast shows that while cost is important, potential earnings after graduation should also factor heavily into your decision-making process.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 29 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2%. Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester leads the group at 3.5%, with Southeastern Oklahoma State University (3.2%) and Cameron University (3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 15.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester leads at 43.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 14.1% across this list. University of Tulsa posts the highest success rate at 22.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.38 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Oklahoma Baptist University reaches 1.76, the highest on the list.
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
In examining the performance of these schools, we see a significant difference between Northern Oklahoma College and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Northern Oklahoma College has a graduation rate of 44% and a net price of $5,625, leading to average earnings of $37,566. In contrast, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, with a graduation rate of 32%, has higher average earnings of $45,079 but a net price of $8,039. This illustrates how graduation rates can impact both debt levels and potential earnings after graduation.
Now that you've explored the data, it's important to weigh these figures against your own priorities. Consider factors such as program availability, campus culture, and location. For instance, a lower net price may be appealing, but if a school doesn’t offer your desired major, it might not be the best fit. Evaluate what matters most to you and your family as you explore these options.
Ultimately, the choices made today can significantly influence a student's future. Higher education remains one of the most reliable paths to financial stability, but it requires careful consideration of costs and outcomes. By focusing on schools that balance affordability with strong post-graduation success, families can help pave the way for a stable and prosperous 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
Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Oklahoma ranking? +
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable 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 $41,997 average across the 48 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, Central Technology Center leads: graduates earn a median $36,351 against net price of about $2,674 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? +
Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 98%, compared with a 48% 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 $12,871 a year across the 49 ranked schools with cost data. Central Technology Center is among the most affordable at roughly $2,674. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable 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 49 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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