by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Oklahoma, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **21** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 21 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee to be the best college in Oklahoma. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public school based in Okmulgee, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,354 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $13,356.
Oklahoma Christian University came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Oklahoma. Set in Edmond, OK, Oklahoma Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $27,180 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,721.
Out of the 21 colleges in Oklahoma in this year's ranking, Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #3 spot. Based in Weatherford, OK, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates 41% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,280. The median student debt is $20,795.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Oklahoma. This public school is set in Edmond, OK. About 37% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $44,085. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete a degree here.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Oklahoma. Based in Bartlesville, OK, Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. In-state tuition and fees average $33,550. Early-career graduates earn a median of $64,764. Typical student debt is $30,970.
Southern Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Bethany, OK, Southern Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Nazarene University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,190. Southern Nazarene University graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,851. The median student debt is $29,684.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #7 spot in Oklahoma this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a public school based in Oklahoma City, OK. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Median early-career earnings reach $39,848. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete a degree here.
Tulsa Community College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Tulsa, OK, Tulsa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Median early-career earnings reach $41,718. Tulsa Community College students take on a median of $15,789 in debt.
Northern Oklahoma College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Northern Oklahoma College is a public school based in Tonkawa, OK. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,565. Northern Oklahoma College students take on a median of $11,811 in debt.
Rogers State University placed #10 among the best colleges in Oklahoma. Set in Claremore, OK, Rogers State University is a public institution. Rogers State University graduates 31% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,750, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,644. Students borrow a median of $22,936 to complete a degree here.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,580. Students borrow a median of $18,726 to complete a degree here.
Murray State College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Tishomingo, OK, Murray State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,230, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,916 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $16,542 in student loans.
Rose State College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Midwest City, OK, Rose State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,860. The median student debt is $13,451.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the #14 spot in Oklahoma this year. This public school is set in Goodwell, OK. Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates 20% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Median early-career earnings reach $53,151. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete a degree here.
Carl Albert State College placed #15 among the best colleges in Oklahoma. This public school is set in Poteau, OK. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,708. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $33,109. Carl Albert State College students take on a median of $10,583 in debt.
Connors State College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Warner, OK, Connors State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,964. Graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans.
Cameron University placed #17 among the best colleges in Oklahoma. Cameron University is a public school based in Lawton, OK. About 38% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,122 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,967 in student loans.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Miami, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Median early-career earnings reach $46,400. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College students take on a median of $15,568 in debt.
Redlands Community College landed the #19 spot in Oklahoma this year. Set in El Reno, OK, Redlands Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,385 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,166. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete a degree here.
Seminole State College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Seminole, OK, Seminole State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,460, compared with $11,790 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $26,814. Students borrow a median of $10,162 to complete a degree here.
Mid America Christian University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Mid America Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Oklahoma City, OK. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,294. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,010. Graduates carry a median of $37,852 in student loans.
Western Oklahoma State College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Altus, OK, Western Oklahoma State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,758. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,122. The median student debt is $14,654.
Langston University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Langston, OK, Langston University is a public institution. About 32% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,863, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Median early-career earnings reach $39,579. Langston University students take on a median of $30,017 in debt.
Eastern Oklahoma State College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Wilburton, OK, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,767, compared with $8,383 for out-of-state students. Eastern Oklahoma State College students take on a median of $12,000 in debt.
College Of The Muscogee Nation placed #25 among the best colleges in Oklahoma. Set in Okmulgee, OK, College Of The Muscogee Nation is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,525 early in their careers.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.