2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Oklahoma City Community College, our #1 best value for nursing in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $70,463. That is a strong return on a $20,334 median debt.
Tulsa Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,700. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $68,544. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Oklahoma College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $57,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,565. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $68,070. Set against $21,565 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. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,416. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $78,753 early in their careers. Set against $29,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Oklahoma State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Redlands Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. Students from in state pay about $5,385 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,625. Nursing graduates of Redlands Community College earn a median of $61,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt.
East Central University came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $71,297. That is a strong return on a $20,200 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Connors State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Connors State College earn a median of $72,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,202. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $65,335. Set against $23,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Okmulgee. 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. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earn a median of $69,065 early in their careers. Set against $21,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Oklahoma State College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Wilburton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,767, with out-of-state students paying around $8,383. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,658. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern State University placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Students borrow a median of $26,542 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $80,792. Set against $26,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rose State College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,900. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,658 median debt.
Murray State College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Murray State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tishomingo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,230, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,990. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,027 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $75,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Langston University landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,863, 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. That is a strong return on a $27,277 median debt.
Carl Albert State College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,708 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carl Albert State College generally make around $69,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, while out-of-state students pay about $11,790. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the nursing program here. 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.
Rogers State University came in at #21 for value in nursing this year. Rogers State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Claremore. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Tulsa earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,125. Nursing graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of $74,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $74,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,375. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,438. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma Baptist University generally make around $68,584. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Oklahoma Baptist University admits about 49% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 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.
