Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Oklahoma City University #977 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,203 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 63.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Oklahoma City University #898 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting outcomes for students in its visual and performing arts focus.
Azimuth ranks Oklahoma City University #977 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma City University enrolls roughly 1,514 undergraduates. Retention is 83.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 64.9%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Oklahoma City University draws strength from its distinctive program portfolio. The institution's dominant concentration in Visual & Performing Arts shapes both its identity and its economic outcomes. Graduates earn about $1,203 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Oklahoma City University in the 63.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Oklahoma City University #543 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability anchor the composite profile. Oklahoma City University sits in the 13.5 percentile for access and the 37.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. With 23.9% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 26.8% first-generation, the institution serves a meaningful share of cost-conscious and first-generation students. Mobility outcomes sit in the 39.4 percentile, reflecting how well graduates transition into sustainable careers relative to peer institutions.
Oklahoma City University's published cost of attendance is $47,247. Net price by income band varies across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $15,187, middle-income families pay around $20,511, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,358. Azimuth ranks Oklahoma City University #892 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Oklahoma City University participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid. The difference between the published cost of attendance and the net price families actually pay reflects the institution's financial aid commitment — see the net price illusion for how sticker price and net price diverge across institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,835, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,054; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $64,450, median federal debt of $20,835 projects to a monthly payment of about $235 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Oklahoma City University is a strong fit for students drawn to the visual and performing arts who want a private university experience in Oklahoma City, OK. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $64,450, placing Oklahoma City University in the 64.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $1,203 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 63.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls 23.9% of undergraduates as Pell recipients and 26.8% as first-generation students. Published cost of attendance is $29,358, with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying students. Fit depends on alignment with the university's arts-focused program mix — Visual & Performing Arts represents 34% of degrees. Students whose interests match these fields will find the strongest outcomes at this institution.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Oklahoma City University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Oklahoma City University's published cost of attendance is $47,247. Net price by income band varies across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $15,187, middle-income families pay around $20,511, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,358.
Azimuth ranks Oklahoma City University #892 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Oklahoma City University participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid.
The difference between the published cost of attendance and the net price families actually pay reflects the institution's financial aid commitment — see the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) for how sticker price and net price diverge across institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,835, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,054; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $64,450, median federal debt of $20,835 projects to a monthly payment of about $235 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Oklahoma City University earn median 4-year earnings of $64,450, placing Oklahoma City University in the 64.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,203 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Oklahoma City University in the 63.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Oklahoma City University #543 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's distinctive program portfolio, anchored in Visual & Performing Arts, which shapes both early-career earnings trajectories and long-term financial returns.
The earnings pattern is concentrated in creative and performance-oriented fields. Nursing is the largest program with 134 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $85,736, performing at 1.0x the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field.
The Music program graduates 71 students earning $35,621, while Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and Dance round out the top programs with 42 and 29 graduates respectively. The concentration in Visual & Performing Arts — representing a significant share of the institution's degree output — reflects Oklahoma City University's specialized mission and contributes to the distinctive earnings profile among private nonprofit institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Universidad Central De Bayamon Similar quality tier (#28190 ranked) | PR | 66% | $25,021 | #28190 | Compare |
Reed College Similar quality tier (#28194 ranked) | OR | 25% | $62,927 | #28194 | Compare |
University Of Evansville Similar quality tier (#28195 ranked) | IN | 78% | $53,770 | #28195 | Compare |
Morningside University Similar quality tier (#28197 ranked) | IA | 71% | $55,494 | #28197 | Compare |
Clarke University Similar quality tier (#28200 ranked) | IA | 72% | $55,396 | #28200 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
134 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
16 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
11 graduates
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
42 graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
23 graduates
Oklahoma City University's program mix is anchored in visual and performing arts, reflecting the institution's distinctive identity as a private university with deep roots in creative disciplines. Nursing is the largest program with 134 graduates, followed by Music, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Dance, and General Studies.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 449 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in creative and performance-oriented fields where Arts represents 34% of graduates. The earnings leaders reflect the institution's creative focus.
Nursing graduates earn median earnings of $85,736 four years after enrollment with 134 graduates, while Subject-Specific Teacher Education graduates earn $45,219 with 16 graduates. Kinesiology delivers median earnings of $45,199 with 11 graduates, and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn $41,540.
These outcomes span both performance-dependent pathways and applied creative fields where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect labor-market demand for creative professionals. Oklahoma City University's program portfolio emphasizes hands-on training and industry-aligned instruction in creative disciplines.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with labor-market opportunities in arts, entertainment, and creative services sectors.
