Hidden Gem Colleges in Oklahoma (2026)
Updated
This page lists 8 four-year colleges in Oklahoma. This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out.
The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $73,280 for its graduates four years after completing. Of these, 7 are public and 1 is private nonprofit.
The mix is 88% public. Southeastern Oklahoma State University posts the lowest average net price on the page at $8,039. Northeastern State University admits 100% of applicants, the highest admission rate among these colleges.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $73,280 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ranks 1st on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 75%. | |||||
| 2 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK | $65,492 | $17,447 | $12,243 | 75.0% |
| Graduates across all fields from Oklahoma State University-Main Campus report median earnings of $65,492 four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | University of Tulsa · Tulsa, OK | $79,396 | $15,000 | $5,578 | 61.5% |
| A private nonprofit university in Tulsa, University of Tulsa admits 62% of applicants and carries an average net price of $15,000. | |||||
| 4 | University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK | $54,402 | $18,309 | $15,275 | 78.1% |
| University of Central Oklahoma ranks 338th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $54,402 four years after completing. | |||||
| 5 | East Central University · Ada, OK | $53,649 | $8,683 | $8,151 | 58.2% |
| With an admission rate of 58%, East Central University is the most selective school on the page and reports median earnings of $53,649 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK | $50,752 | $12,710 | $10,598 | 99.6% |
| Northeastern State University admits 100% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 35%. | |||||
| 7 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University · Durant, OK | $56,329 | $8,039 | $5,193 | 76.4% |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University posts the lowest average net price on the list at $8,039, alongside median earnings of $56,329 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Northwestern Oklahoma State University · Alva, OK | $51,228 | $10,104 | $6,439 | 65.5% |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University reports median earnings of $51,228 for its graduates four years after completing, and its average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $6,439. | |||||
How this list is ordered
This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out. The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The earnings figure is the median for federally aided completers across all fields, measured four years after completing, among those who were working and not enrolled. The list does not measure fit or teaching quality. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ranks 101st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ranks 138th. The list includes 7 public and 1 private nonprofit institution.