by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Northeastern State University, our #1 for nursing graduate salaries in Oklahoma. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Northeastern State University make a median of around $99,835 per year.
Seminole State College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Seminole State College is a public school located in the town of Seminole. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Seminole State College typically earn about $78,962 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Rose State College one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Rose State College earn a median of about $73,996 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Oklahoma State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a public school located in the rural area of Wilburton. Early-career nursing graduates from Eastern Oklahoma State College make a median of around $75,254 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Connors State College, which ranked #5. Connors State College is a public school located in the rural area of Warner. Early-career nursing graduates from Connors State College make a median of around $79,186 per year.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the town of Bartlesville, Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Oklahoma Wesleyan University make a median of around $94,733 per year.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee landed the #7 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earn a median of about $78,293 a year early in their careers.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University typically earn about $81,900 annually.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #9 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of about $75,562 a year early in their careers.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #10 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University typically earn about $82,827 annually.
Murray State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,376.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #12 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City typically earn about $76,853 annually.
Tulsa Community College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Tulsa Community College is a public school located in the city of Tulsa. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Tulsa Community College typically earn about $76,047 annually.
Oklahoma City University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of about $84,220 a year early in their careers.
Carl Albert State College came in at #15 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Carl Albert State College make a median of around $71,378 per year.
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earned the #16 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,394.
Rogers State University landed the #17 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Rogers State University typically earn about $74,438 annually.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #18 for nursing graduate earnings this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Early-career nursing graduates from University Of Central Oklahoma make a median of around $78,665 per year.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus typically earn about $74,056 annually.
University Of Tulsa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of about $72,374 a year early in their careers.
East Central University earned the #21 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,924.
Southern Nazarene University came in at #22 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Southern Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bethany. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Southern Nazarene University typically earn about $74,832 annually.
Oral Roberts University earned the #23 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Oral Roberts University typically earn about $71,850 annually.
Langston University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Langston University typically earn about $74,330 annually.
Redlands Community College came in at #25 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Redlands Community College make a median of around $69,903 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid nursing ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 31 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
