by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Oklahoma, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **20** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 20 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.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Oklahoma. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,084. Graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans.
Out of the 20 colleges in Oklahoma in this year's ranking, University Of Tulsa landed the #2 spot. Based in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. University Of Tulsa graduates report median early-career earnings of $66,166. University Of Tulsa students take on a median of $23,638 in debt.
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Oklahoma. Based in Oklahoma City, OK, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,925, with out-of-state students paying around $25,714. Median early-career earnings reach $81,828. The median student debt is $22,613.
Out of the 20 colleges in Oklahoma in this year's ranking, Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #4 spot. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,993. Typical student debt is $22,337.
You'll be in good company at Oklahoma City University, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma City University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,379. Typical student debt is $27,248.
Southern Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Bethany, OK, Southern Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,190. Median early-career earnings reach $53,851. Students borrow a median of $29,684 to complete a degree here.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Weatherford, OK, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $57,280. The median student debt is $20,795.
Oklahoma Christian University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Edmond, OK. Oklahoma Christian University graduates 56% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,180. Oklahoma Christian University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,615. Students borrow a median of $24,721 to complete a degree here.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Okmulgee, OK, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,774, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,354. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee students take on a median of $13,356 in debt.
Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #10 spot in Oklahoma this year. Based in Shawnee, OK, Oklahoma Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Students from in state pay about $35,570 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,100. The median student debt is $23,425.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #11 spot in Oklahoma this year. Based in Edmond, OK, University Of Central Oklahoma is a public institution. University Of Central Oklahoma posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,085. Graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans.
Northeastern State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Northeastern State University is a public school based in Tahlequah, OK. About 35% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,353. The median student debt is $23,465.
Oral Roberts University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Tulsa, OK, Oral Roberts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,180. Graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bartlesville, OK. Oklahoma Wesleyan University graduates 26% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,550. Early-career graduates earn a median of $64,764. Graduates carry a median of $30,970 in student loans.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public school based in Alva, OK. About 30% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,196. Typical student debt is $22,438.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #16 spot in Oklahoma this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a public school based in Durant, OK. Southeastern Oklahoma State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 32%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $18,660.
Rogers State University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Claremore, OK, Rogers State University is a public institution. About 31% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $45,644. Graduates carry a median of $22,936 in student loans.
East Central University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Ada, OK, East Central University is a public institution. East Central University posts a six-year graduation rate of 34%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. East Central University graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Chickasha, OK, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,000, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $30,136.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Goodwell, OK, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,151. Typical student debt is $24,249.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #21 among the best colleges in Oklahoma. This public school is set in Oklahoma City, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,580. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City students take on a median of $18,726 in debt.
Mid America Christian University landed the #22 spot in Oklahoma this year. Set in Oklahoma City, OK, Mid America Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $21,294 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,010. Graduates carry a median of $37,852 in student loans.
Cameron University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Lawton, OK, Cameron University is a public institution. Cameron University graduates 38% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,122. The median student debt is $23,967.
Langston University landed the #24 spot in Oklahoma this year. Langston University is a public school based in Langston, OK. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,863, compared with $14,616 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $39,579. Graduates carry a median of $30,017 in student loans.
Southwestern Christian University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Bethany, OK, Southwestern Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern Christian University graduates 15% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,900. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $34,438. Students borrow a median of $31,396 to complete a degree here.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced 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.
