Best Value Degrees in Oklahoma (2026)
The best college programs in Oklahoma, ranked by overall value. We scored 286 programs across Oklahoma schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $60,120/yr in graduate earnings.
Why a Regional Powerhouse in Tahlequah Tops Our List
Northeastern State University’s #1 rank for Nursing is a story of regional economics. Located in the capital of the Cherokee Nation, NSU acts as a critical talent pipeline for medically underserved areas, feeding graduates directly into tribal and rural healthcare systems where demand is high. This direct path from classroom to clinic, combined with an exceptionally low four-year tuition of $30,052, creates an unmatched 32.2x ROI. It’s a perfect fusion of a public service mission and powerful local labor market dynamics.
The Public vs. Private ROI Trap: A Tale of Two Nursing Degrees
The data reveals a stark warning for prospective students. At #18, Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s nursing program graduates earn a solid $74,090/yr, but the staggering $125,864 tuition crushes the return, resulting in a meager 6.5x ROI. Compare this to #9 Northwestern Oklahoma State, where grads from a similar program pay just $23,880 in tuition, yielding a massive 30.7x ROI. The lesson is clear: in a state with excellent public options for high-demand fields, a high-cost private degree is rarely a sound financial choice.
AI's Impact: Competitor in Code, Assistant in Care
The high AI risk scores tell two different stories. For degrees in Computer Science (#2) and Accounting (#13), AI is a direct competitor for entry-level work, automating routine coding and bookkeeping tasks. Your value will be in architecting systems and making judgments AI cannot. In contrast, for Nursing (#1), AI's 43% exposure is focused on administrative work like charting and data analysis. This makes AI a powerful assistant, freeing you up for the irreplaceable human tasks of hands-on care and clinical judgment.
The Public University Monopoly on Value
The dominance of public universities, which make up 19 of our top 20 programs, is no accident. Oklahoma’s state and regional universities are mandated to provide affordable pathways into the state’s most essential careers. This focus, combined with their strategic locations serving specific regional economies, creates a powerful engine for value and social mobility. With lower tuition and direct pipelines to local jobs, they deliver a return on investment that private institutions, with their higher price points, simply cannot match at this scale.
Leading the field for Best Degrees in Oklahoma
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.
Top Programs in Oklahoma
Top 100 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nursing
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
90
87–90
|
$80,792/yr | High | 32.2x |
| 2 |
Computer Science
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
89
82–90
|
$78,610/yr | Very High | 34.1x |
| 3 |
Nursing
Oklahoma Panhandle State University · Goodwell, OK
|
88
84–87
|
$78,753/yr | High | 24.8x |
| 4 |
Nursing
Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Weatherford, OK
|
87
84–87
|
$75,846/yr | High | 24.0x |
| 5 |
Information Sciences
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
85
79–86
|
$64,320/yr | Very High | 25.7x |
| 6 |
Nursing
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
85
83–85
|
$71,438/yr | High | 22.1x |
| 7 |
Nursing
East Central University · Ada, OK
|
85
82–85
|
$71,297/yr | High | 22.3x |
| 8 |
Nursing
Langston University · Langston, OK
|
85
83–85
|
$68,967/yr | High | 26.6x |
| 9 |
Nursing
Northwestern Oklahoma State University · Alva, OK
|
85
83–84
|
$65,335/yr | High | 30.7x |
| 10 |
Information Sciences
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
85
78–86
|
$61,514/yr | Very High | 22.8x |
| 11 |
Nursing
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
85
83–85
|
$70,625/yr | High | 20.5x |
| 12 |
Finance
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
85
82–86
|
$66,904/yr | Very High | 21.8x |
| 13 |
Accounting
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
84
81–86
|
$62,930/yr | Very High | 22.5x |
| 14 |
Finance
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
82
79–83
|
$56,916/yr | Very High | 19.2x |
| 15 |
Accounting
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
80
77–82
|
$56,889/yr | Very High | 20.9x |
| 16 |
Accounting
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
79
76–81
|
$50,943/yr | Very High | 19.4x |
| 17 |
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Weatherford, OK
|
78
75–78
|
$115,284/yr | High | 33.7x |
| 18 |
Nursing
Oklahoma Wesleyan University · Bartlesville, OK
|
77
74–77
|
$74,090/yr | High | 6.5x |
| 19 |
Nursing
Rogers State University · Claremore, OK
|
77
74–77
|
$74,438/yr | High | 24.2x |
| 20 |
Accounting
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
76
73–77
|
$49,823/yr | Very High | 20.1x |
| 21 |
Chemical Engineering
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
76
73–77
|
$82,466/yr | High | 24.9x |
| 22 |
Finance
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
75
72–76
|
$50,151/yr | Very High | 17.2x |
| 23 |
Nursing
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
75
72–75
|
$74,056/yr | High | 17.1x |
| 24 |
Nursing
Oklahoma City University · Oklahoma City, OK
|
75
72–74
|
$72,980/yr | High | 5.3x |
| 25 |
Economics
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
75
71–76
|
$52,212/yr | Very High | 18.8x |
| 26 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
74
71–75
|
$71,362/yr | Very High | 24.2x |
| 27 |
Chemical Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
74
71–75
|
$77,751/yr | High | 22.6x |
| 28 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
74
71–75
|
$71,424/yr | Very High | 22.9x |
| 29 |
Industrial Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
74
72–75
|
$72,397/yr | High | 25.9x |
| 30 |
Management Information Systems
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
74
67–76
|
$70,921/yr | Very High | 25.2x |
| 31 |
Management Science
Southeastern Oklahoma State University · Durant, OK
|
74
72–75
|
$44,959/yr | Very High | 21.2x |
| 32 |
Finance
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
73
72–74
|
$45,998/yr | Very High | 19.3x |
| 33 |
Mechanical Engineering
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
73
71–75
|
$69,905/yr | Very High | 21.4x |
| 34 |
Fire Protection
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
73
67–73
|
$75,503/yr | Moderate | 21.1x |
| 35 |
Civil Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
73
72–75
|
$67,452/yr | High | 22.0x |
| 36 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
73
70–75
|
$69,559/yr | Very High | 23.7x |
| 37 |
Marketing
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
73
67–74
|
$57,331/yr | Very High | 20.6x |
| 38 |
Information Sciences
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology · Okmulgee, OK
|
73
67–74
|
$58,844/yr | Very High | 24.5x |
| 39 |
Nursing
Southern Nazarene University · Bethany, OK
|
72
70–72
|
$69,818/yr | High | 5.3x |
| 40 |
Allied Health Professions
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
72
72–72
|
$67,979/yr | Moderate | 17.4x |
| 41 |
Construction Engineering Technologies
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
71
68–72
|
$73,900/yr | Very High | 24.6x |
| 42 |
Nursing
Oral Roberts University · Tulsa, OK
|
71
68–71
|
$71,417/yr | High | 4.3x |
| 43 |
Information Sciences
Southeastern Oklahoma State University · Durant, OK
|
71
64–72
|
$55,922/yr | Very High | 18.4x |
| 44 |
Nursing
Oklahoma Christian University · Edmond, OK
|
70
68–70
|
$69,180/yr | High | 5.4x |
| 45 |
Computer Engineering
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
70
64–72
|
$72,820/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 46 |
Nursing
Oklahoma Baptist University · Shawnee, OK
|
70
68–70
|
$68,584/yr | High | 4.3x |
| 47 |
Computer Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
70
64–71
|
$70,904/yr | Very High | 17.5x |
| 48 |
Petroleum Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
70
68–71
|
$61,223/yr | High | 25.3x |
| 49 |
Construction Management
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
70
67–71
|
$72,249/yr | High | 17.8x |
| 50 |
Finance
University of Tulsa · Tulsa, OK
|
70
68–71
|
$65,012/yr | Very High | 3.4x |
| 51 |
Public Health
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
69
64–69
|
$49,560/yr | High | 19.1x |
| 52 |
Business Administration
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
69
63–69
|
$46,410/yr | High | 15.9x |
| 53 |
Management Information Systems
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
69
62–71
|
$51,298/yr | Very High | 28.8x |
| 54 |
Dental Services
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
69
68–68
|
$75,367/yr | Moderate | 17.4x |
| 55 |
Information Sciences
Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Weatherford, OK
|
69
63–70
|
$55,560/yr | Very High | 15.7x |
| 56 |
Subject-Area Teaching
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
68
69–69
|
$47,741/yr | High | 14.0x |
| 57 |
Sales & Marketing
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
68
64–68
|
$59,698/yr | High | 16.5x |
| 58 |
Subject-Area Teaching
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
68
69–69
|
$51,097/yr | High | 11.9x |
| 59 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
68
68–68
|
$61,141/yr | Moderate | 18.5x |
| 60 |
Business Administration
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
68
62–68
|
$45,200/yr | High | 13.9x |
| 61 |
Business Administration
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
68
62–68
|
$61,373/yr | High | 15.0x |
| 62 |
Nursing
University of Tulsa · Tulsa, OK
|
68
65–67
|
$74,029/yr | High | 2.7x |
| 63 |
Business Administration
Oklahoma Panhandle State University · Goodwell, OK
|
67
61–68
|
$44,397/yr | High | 16.5x |
| 64 |
Management Information Systems
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
66
59–68
|
$56,385/yr | Very High | 19.8x |
| 65 |
Business Administration
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
66
60–67
|
$43,690/yr | High | 16.9x |
| 66 |
Business Administration
Northwestern Oklahoma State University · Alva, OK
|
66
60–66
|
$44,000/yr | High | 19.5x |
| 67 |
Subject-Area Teaching
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
66
67–67
|
$47,572/yr | High | 12.2x |
| 68 |
Criminal Justice
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
66
57–66
|
$53,003/yr | Moderate | 14.2x |
| 69 |
Human Resources
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
66
60–67
|
$45,107/yr | High | 17.5x |
| 70 |
Business Administration
Rogers State University · Claremore, OK
|
66
61–67
|
$41,551/yr | High | 17.9x |
| 71 |
Human Resources
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
65
59–66
|
$45,556/yr | High | 17.8x |
| 72 |
Nursing
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center · Oklahoma City, OK
|
65
63–65
|
$70,625/yr | High | — |
| 73 |
Marketing
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
65
60–66
|
$44,366/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 74 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Mid-America Christian University · Oklahoma City, OK
|
65
60–66
|
$47,781/yr | High | 7.8x |
| 75 |
Management Science
Mid-America Christian University · Oklahoma City, OK
|
65
63–66
|
$45,047/yr | Very High | 7.5x |
| 76 |
Accounting
Cameron University · Lawton, OK
|
64
62–65
|
$44,520/yr | Very High | 15.1x |
| 77 |
Accounting
East Central University · Ada, OK
|
64
62–66
|
$46,419/yr | Very High | 13.4x |
| 78 |
Subject-Area Teaching
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
64
68–65
|
$43,045/yr | High | 15.6x |
| 79 |
Quality Control & Safety Technology
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
64
62–65
|
$49,321/yr | High | 21.9x |
| 80 |
Information Sciences
Oklahoma Panhandle State University · Goodwell, OK
|
64
59–65
|
$46,721/yr | Very High | 13.7x |
| 81 |
Accounting
Southeastern Oklahoma State University · Durant, OK
|
64
62–65
|
$44,992/yr | Very High | 14.6x |
| 82 |
Subject-Area Teaching
Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Weatherford, OK
|
64
67–65
|
$43,302/yr | High | 14.1x |
| 83 |
Business Administration
Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Weatherford, OK
|
64
58–65
|
$43,762/yr | High | 14.6x |
| 84 |
Teacher Education
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
63
67–63
|
$45,974/yr | High | 12.5x |
| 85 |
Information Sciences
East Central University · Ada, OK
|
63
59–64
|
$45,779/yr | Very High | 13.2x |
| 86 |
Business Administration
Southern Nazarene University · Bethany, OK
|
62
56–62
|
$55,107/yr | High | 4.4x |
| 87 |
Information Sciences
Cameron University · Lawton, OK
|
62
66–63
|
$37,208/yr | Very High | 22.2x |
| 88 |
Business Administration
Cameron University · Lawton, OK
|
62
57–62
|
$37,143/yr | High | 18.2x |
| 89 |
Computer Science
Oklahoma Christian University · Edmond, OK
|
62
54–63
|
$61,272/yr | Very High | 4.9x |
| 90 |
Civil Engineering
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
62
60–63
|
$71,176/yr | High | 16.4x |
| 91 |
Public Relations & Advertising
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
62
59–63
|
$45,759/yr | High | 14.3x |
| 92 |
Aerospace Engineering
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
62
60–63
|
$72,607/yr | High | 17.9x |
| 93 |
Quality Control & Safety Technology
Southeastern Oklahoma State University · Durant, OK
|
62
59–62
|
$51,356/yr | High | 19.5x |
| 94 |
Computer Science
University of Tulsa · Tulsa, OK
|
62
55–63
|
$73,787/yr | Very High | 2.8x |
| 95 |
Human Resources
Southern Nazarene University · Bethany, OK
|
61
55–61
|
$61,939/yr | High | 5.1x |
| 96 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK
|
61
58–62
|
$69,156/yr | Very High | 19.3x |
| 97 |
Electrical Engineering
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK
|
61
58–63
|
$74,250/yr | Very High | 17.1x |
| 98 |
Teacher Education
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK
|
61
67–62
|
$44,049/yr | High | 11.7x |
| 99 |
Business Administration
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology · Tulsa, OK
|
60
54–60
|
$56,180/yr | High | 6.5x |
| 100 |
Criminal Justice
Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK
|
60
49–60
|
$39,668/yr | Moderate | 16.1x |
Frequently asked
What is the best college program in Oklahoma?
By DegreeOutlook Score, Nursing at Northeastern State University ranks #1 in Oklahoma with a score of 90/100 and graduate earnings of $80,792/yr.
How many college programs are in Oklahoma?
Our database includes 286 programs across Oklahoma colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.