2023 Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 29 schools in Oklahoma to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Top Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Oklahoma State University - Main Campus to be the best school for nursing students in Oklahoma. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 6,371 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,373 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $460 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, OSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,215 during the early year of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Central Oklahoma. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma list. UCO is a public institution located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,923 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $26,681 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $232. During the early years of their career, UCO graduates make an average of $39,113 annually.
Out of the 29 schools in Oklahoma that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern State University landed the # 3 spot on the list. NSU is a public institution located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,839 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $25,000 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from NSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,444 during the early years of their career.
Out of the 29 schools in Oklahoma that were part of this year’s ranking, Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Goodwell, Oklahoma, and it awarded 430 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from OPSU accumulate an average of $15,765 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, OPSU graduates make an average of $39,249 annually.
The excellent programs at Oklahoma Christian University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Oklahoma. Located in Edmond, Oklahoma, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 519 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $25,319 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from OC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,492 during the early years of their career.
East Central University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma list. Located in Ada, Oklahoma, the small public school handed out 934 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,096 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, ECU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,464 during the early year of their career.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma list. Weatherford, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,313 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,171 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SWOSU graduates make an average of $45,852 annually.
University of Tulsa ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma list. University of Tulsa is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,127 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from University of Tulsa accumulate an average of $42,196 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $484, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from University of Tulsa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,947 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #9, Oklahoma City University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 876 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $51,039 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $673. During the early years of their career, OCU graduates make an average of $51,986 annually.
Murray State College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma ranking. This small public school is located in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and it awarded 361 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $18,728 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Murray State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,761 during the early years of their career.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma list. OKWU or OWU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 249 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,573 in student loans.After graduating from OKWU or OWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,634 during the early years of their career.
Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Shawnee, Oklahoma that handed out 379 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from OBU accumulate an average of $21,410 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from OBU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,429 during the early years of their career.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma list. Tonkawa, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 650 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,330 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Northern Oklahoma College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $28,818 during the early years of their career.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma ranking. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a small public school located in Alva, Oklahoma that handed out 373 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NWOSU accumulate an average of $18,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NWOSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,757 during the early year of their career.
Tulsa Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the fairly large public school awarded 2,869 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Tulsa Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,249 during the early years of their career.
Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the small public school handed out 824 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,823 in student loans. During the early years of their career, OSU-OKC graduates make an average of $42,026 annually.
With a ranking of #17, Oklahoma City Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. OCCC is a public institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,024 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,368 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from OCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,940 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #18, Oral Roberts University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 803 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $36,474 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $332 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ORU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,338 during the early year of their career.
Southern Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. SNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bethany, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 673 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,638 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, SNU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,687 during the early year of their career.
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. NEO A&M College is located in Miami, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 416 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,929 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NEO A&M College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,864 during the early year of their career.
Rose State College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Midwest City, Oklahoma, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,011 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from RSC accumulate an average of $11,776 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, RSC graduates make an average of $43,105 annually.
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma ranking. Located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 682 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,238 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $277, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, OSU Institute of Technology graduates make an average of $47,948 annually.
Read full report on Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Connors State College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma ranking. CSC is located in Warner, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 538 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from CSC accumulate an average of $14,423 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,867 during the early year of their career.
Western Oklahoma State College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma list. Altus, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 281 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Western accumulate an average of $9,421 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Western graduates make an average of $36,868 annually.
Seminole State College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Seminole State College is a small public school located in Seminole, Oklahoma that handed out 316 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,707 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Seminole State College graduates make an average of $39,395 annually.
Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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