Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Oklahoma

Nicknamed the “Sooner state” because of settlers’ assertive approach to claiming land, Oklahoma is a great place to go to nursing school. It was built on a foundation of oil, but today its economic strength comes from aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. 

The state’s history includes efforts to make it an “all-Indian state,” and today it has the second largest Native American population in the country, with 25 different Native American languages spoken. Beyond boasting two hospitals U.S. News & World Report ranks as meeting its high standards, Oklahoma has a low cost of living and low housing costs, so the average nursing salary goes a long way.

Oklahoma’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
2. Oklahoma City University
3. University of Central Oklahoma
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
5. Oral Roberts University
6. Southwestern Oklahoma State University
7. Northwestern Oklahoma State University
8. Oklahoma Christian University
9. Northeastern State University
10. Oklahoma Panhandle State University

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1. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Score 65

NCLEX Pass Rate – 93.8%

Annual In-State Tuition: $14,399

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $34,518

The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has a 110+ year history nurse education. It offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level programs in flexible formats and at multiple locations as well as via distance learning. 

The nursing graduate programs were recognized by U.S. News & World Report as among the Best Nursing Schools for online nursing graduate programs for 2021 and 2022, and Best Undergraduate Programs for 2022. The school has a remarkable 88% graduation rate and offers a robust student counseling program to support students struggling through stressful situations.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• Accelerated BSN
• BSN
• LPN-BSN
• RN-BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PHD

2. Oklahoma City University – Score 65

NCLEX Pass Rate – 93.03%

Annual Tuition: $28,094        

The Kramer School of Nursing at Oklahoma City University offers everything from pre-nursing general education to doctoral programs. High school students who are considering a career in nursing can attend the school’s three-day summer nursing camp, and students unsure of which BSN program best suits their goals can use the school’s  online program finder questionnaire. 

The Meinders Simulation Center contributes to the program’s 69% graduation rate, facilitating the practice of nursing in realistic scenarios and giving students a high level of competence and confidence.

ACEN-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN-BSN (Online)
• MSN (Online)
• DNP (Online)
• PhD

3. University of Central Oklahoma– Score 62

NCLEX Pass Rate – 90.80%

Annual In-State Tuition: $6,822         

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $10,887

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Department of Nursing has expanded dramatically since it opened fifty years ago. The school offers a traditional BSN and a Fast-Track BSN for candidates who’ve earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. 

The school, which has a graduation rate of 43%, offers an online RN-to-BSN program available as either full- or part-time and an MSN program on a nursing education track or a specialty nursing track. The MSN program is available to those with a BSN as well as to Career Advancement students who have an ADN.

CCNE-accredited program offered:

• BSN
• Fast-Track BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MSN

4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University– Score 60

NCLEX Pass Rate – 82.86%

Annual Tuition: $28,556        

Oklahoma Wesleyan University offers a comprehensive nursing program with multiple educational opportunities. Their advanced placement program allows Licensed Practical Nurses to study to become a Registered Nurse and then earn their BSN, and the school also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice as either a Post-Master’s or BSN-DNP pathway. Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s traditional BSN program has a 47% graduation rate and a 100% employment rate for its graduates, and includes the opportunity to participate in an international mission as part of its curriculum.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• LPN-BSN
• RN-BSN (Online)
• BSN
• MSN
• DNP

5. Oral Roberts University – Score 57

NCLEX Pass Rate – 88.64%

Annual Tuition: $31,250

Oral Roberts University’s Anna Vaughn School of Nursing offers a traditional four-year BSN program, an online MSN program, and a DNP program that’s delivered primarily online and which allows registered nurses with a BSN degree to pursue a Family Nurse Practitioner tract. Students enjoy clinical practice in high-tech simulation labs as well as in local, rural, and international clinical practice settings. 

The school places a heavy emphasis on student development through medical missions. Most of Oral Roberts University’s full-time undergraduates receive grants and scholarships through academic achievement and through the school’s Quest Whole Leader Scholarship.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN (Online)
• DNP (Online)

6. Southwestern Oklahoma State University– Score 57

NCLEX Pass Rate – 82.61%

Annual In-State Tuition: $9,131

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $16,241

The first rural baccalaureate nursing program in Oklahoma, Southwestern Oklahoma State University now hosts online BSN programs, online MSN opportunities, and a traditional BSN program. 

The school offers several scholarships and grants, including a Work Pay Back program providing grants of up to $1,500 per semester for student’s junior or senior years. These grants are repaid through work obligation, with full benefits, following graduation. The school’s graduation rate is 43% and it has a post-graduation employment rate of 100%.

ACEN-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• LPN-BSN (Online)
• RN-BSN (Online)
• MSN (Online)

7. Northwestern Oklahoma State University– Score 51

NCLEX Pass Rate – 50%

Annual In-State Tuition: $6,810

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $8,160

The Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing at Northwestern Oklahoma State University offers a traditional BSN as well as an opportunity for LPNs and registered nurses to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The undergraduate program has a graduation rate of 32%. The school’s BSN-to-DNP program is offered part- and full-time and was the first doctoral program that the university offered. 

The program emphasizes nursing in rural communities, enabling graduates to practice early in their own communities. Nurses who’ve completed an accredited MSN program and who are certified in an advanced practice specialty will be considered for the Advanced Placement DNP Option.

ACEN-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-BSN (Online)
• BSN-DNP

8. Oklahoma Christian University – Score 49

 NCLEX Pass Rate – 75.56%

Annual Tuition: $24,550

Oklahoma Christian University offers a traditional, on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and two other pathways to earning a BSN degree. 

Their online RN-to-BSN degree is offered on a subscription basis that allows students to access the entire program for four months at a time and proceed at their own pace. Using this model, some BSN candidates have completed the program in one subscription period, though the average time to completion is 12 months. 

The other option offered is Integris Health U. When accepted into this online program,  students are placed in nursing assistant positions where they care for patients under the supervision of registered nurses while taking their didactic courses.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN (Online)
• Integris Work & Study BSN
• BSN

9. Northeastern State University – Score 43

NCLEX Pass Rate – 86.34%

Annual In-State Tuition: $7,115

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $7,145

Northeastern State University offers two nursing programs through the Department of Health Professions. Registered nurses who have already earned an associate’s degree in nursing or who have a nursing diploma can take a 30-credit- hour online RN-to-BSN program which can be completed in ten months, though students working full-time generally complete the course in 16 months. 

The school’s graduation rate is 44%. Northeastern State University also offers an online 32-credit hour MSN program with options to specialize in Nursing Education, Administrative Leadership, or Nursing Informatics. The program’s minimum practicum is 120 hours and the minimum time to complete the program is ten months. Most students complete the program in two years.

ACEN-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN (Online)
• MSN (Online)

10. Oklahoma Panhandle State University – Score 41

Annual Tuition: $6,525

Oklahoma Panhandle State University offers a fully online RN-to-BSN program that allows  registered nurses to attend to other responsibilities while completing their studies. Classes are available online at any time, with no schedule or live classes, and can be completed in under a year if pursued full time, and less than two years if pursued part time. 

The school offers a BSN Connection Scholarship to graduates of 15 Oklahoma community colleges, so RNs with an associate degree may be eligible for a two-year scholarship.

ACEN-accredited programs offered:

• RN-BSN (Online)

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How to choose the right nursing program

You’ve chosen the career, now you need to find the program that will get you there. With a wealth of Oklahoma nursing schools to choose from, one of your considerations will likely be cost. Fortunately, there are options for low cost colleges in Oklahoma that offer nursing programs. It’s crucial to eliminate any school that doesn’t provide the program you need first, then evaluate whether you prefer a traditional setting versus online, the type of campus you’re looking for, costs, and reputation.

Each program has its own unique characteristics, so weigh elements like clinical practice sites, class size, and faculty-to-student ratio to make sure you’re in the program that suits you best.

Location

Even 100% online programs require you to attend some classes or events in person. Oklahoma is a vast state and its nursing schools are great distances apart, so decide whether you’re looking for a rural setting or one that’s more suburban or metropolitan. If you’re working at the same time that you’re attending school, you need to calculate commute time and costs too.

Tuition

There’s a significant difference in cost for the nursing schools listed above, and only you know what you can invest in your education. If you’re  a working nurse there’s a chance your employer offers tuition reimbursement, and many schools offer scholarships, grants, and financial aid. Be sure to fill out the FAFSA form to take advantage of federal funds for education, and reach out to each program’s financial aid office to explore other options available to you.

NCLEX pass rate

Every nursing program leading to a BSN prepares its graduates to provide compassionate, competent care, but for students to get their license they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX. The percentage of a school’s graduates who pass the NCLEX is an important indication of the quality of their program and is a statistic that’s helpful for comparing your options.  

Programs offered

Not every nursing school in Oklahoma offers every program. Your first step is to identify those that offer the specific degree pathway you’re looking for. Doing so will likely save you a great deal of time.

Graduation rate 

Though  graduation rate is considered an important measure of a college’s performance, it’s important to remember that when calculating this statistic – the percentage of a school’s students that graduate after six years – the federal agency that provides this number doesn’t include part-time students or transfer students. As a result, this metric has increasingly been viewed as unnecessarily restrictive, leaving out the actual percentage of students who attain degrees.

Next steps

Whether nursing is a lifelong dream or a new career goal, you should be proud of yourself for deciding to move forward and earn your degree.

School selection is the next step, and entails filling out applications, gathering documentation and transcripts, asking mentors for letters of recommendation, and waiting to hear you’ve been accepted. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but if you take your time, stay organized, and pay attention to detail, you’ll soon find yourself signing up for classes, participating in clinical practice, and graduating.

With your new degree in hand you’ll be ready to take on new challenges. If you’re planning on working as a nurse in Oklahoma you’ll need to know its license requirements, as well as the CEU requirements needed to keep that license up-to-date.  At Incredible Health, we have the answers to these and other important questions – and when we can’t answer we have a supportive community of Oklahoma nurses you can ask.

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Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
• Oklahoma City University
• University of Central Oklahoma
• Oklahoma Wesleyan University
• Oral Roberts University
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Northwestern Oklahoma State University
• Oklahoma Christian University
• Northeastern State University
• Oklahoma Panhandle State University
• Oklahoma Board of Nursing
• Federal Student Aid
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings