2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Oklahoma City Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Oklahoma. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $20,334 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $70,463. Set against $20,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Tulsa Community College one of the best values for nursing. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $68,544. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Students borrow a median of $21,565 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $68,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Carl Albert State College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $8,708 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,625. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,264. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,092, compared with $8,675 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,416 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Oklahoma State College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central University landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Students borrow a median of $20,200 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of East Central University earn a median of $71,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,200 median debt. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Rose State College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,900. Nursing graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $76,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,131. Early-career nursing graduates make about $57,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Oklahoma State College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Wilburton, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,767 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,383 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,658 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,213 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,658. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,207. Set against $26,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,774, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $69,065. That is a strong return on a $21,475 median debt.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Students borrow a median of $23,210 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $67,828 early in their careers. Set against $23,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern Oklahoma State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Langston University landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Students borrow a median of $27,277 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Langston University generally make around $68,967. Set against $27,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern State University came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,542. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $80,792. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Connors State College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $72,430. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt.
Rogers State University earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Rogers State University earn a median of $69,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $24,027 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Murray State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tishomingo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,230, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Murray State College generally make around $71,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, compared with $11,790 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Seminole State College earn a median of $26,814 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,400. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $74,056. Set against $29,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Nazarene University landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southern Nazarene University earn a median of $69,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,375. Nursing graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $71,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Oklahoma Christian University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $27,180 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $69,180 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Oklahoma City University came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $88,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
