Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, Oklahoma · Private Nonprofit · 66.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 51/100 · Below Average Value
Oklahoma Wesleyan University scores 51 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The most problematic figure is the completion rate of 34.8% -- fewer than 1 in 3 enrolled students graduates. This is the dominant driver of poor outcomes across the institution. Median 6-year earnings of $50,500 are actually above average for this cohort, which is misleading: the earnings figure reflects only those who completed, skewing upward. The 10.2-year payback period and 0.491 debt-to-earnings ratio would look better with higher completion. The Scorecard reports only four programs with meaningful earnings data: Registered Nursing (24 graduates, $74,090 year-one, $89,006 four-year, ROI grade B), Business General (10 graduates, $57,559 year-one, $86,511 four-year), Business Administration and Management (30 graduates, $54,171 year-one, $60,046 four-year, D-grade, debt-to-earnings 0.754), and Mechanical Engineering (23 graduates, $65,764 year-one, $85,881 four-year, ROI grade B). The median earnings figure of $50,500 is driven by a small set of completers in health and technical fields; it does not represent the full student body.
The data raises concerns about Oklahoma Wesleyan University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate34.8% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $33,550/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $33,550/yr |
| Average net price | $28,358/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $113,432 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,841 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $50,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,813 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $263 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 34.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 673 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Oklahoma Wesleyan University is $33,550/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $28,358/year, or roughly $113,432 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $25,011/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,238/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,813 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $263 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $59,841 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.49 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $25,011 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,831 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,645 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,697 |
| $110,001+ | $31,238 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $25,011 net price per year -- approximately $100,000 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $22,831 -- slightly lower. At $25,000 per year for the lowest income bracket at a small private with a 34.8% completion rate, the financial risk for low-income students is severe. A majority of low-income enrollees will not graduate, and those who do not will carry debt averaging $24,813 without the credential.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $28,645 per year; the 75001-110000 bracket pays $30,697. Aid is modest across the middle-income range, and costs rise steeply. At $30,000+ per year for middle-income families, the 34.8% completion rate and 10.2-year payback period are not consistent with the investment. Nursing or engineering students who are confident they will complete may find an acceptable path; others should look elsewhere.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $31,238 per year -- $124,952 all-in. At this price, the 34.8% completion rate makes OKWU an inadvisable choice for most students with better-funded alternatives. Full-pay families who value the OKWU Wesleyan ethos specifically should factor the completion data heavily into the decision.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at Oklahoma Wesleyan University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $60,046 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $89,006 | B |
| Business, General | $86,511 | - |
| Political Science and Government | $59,143 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is the strongest program at OKWU in the Scorecard data: 24 graduates, $74,090 year-one, $89,006 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.426 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $31,589 is elevated but manageable against $74k year-one earnings. Oklahoma's RN market provides consistent demand, and nursing graduates from OKWU access the Tulsa-Bartlesville regional healthcare system. For students committed to nursing in a faith-based Wesleyan environment, this program delivers defensible ROI.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (23 graduates) earns $65,764 year-one and $85,881 four-year -- strong outcomes for a small evangelical private. Debt data and debt-to-earnings ratio are not reported for this program by the Scorecard, limiting confidence in the ROI grade. The earnings figures suggest OKWU ME graduates find employment in the northeast Oklahoma manufacturing and oil-and-gas sectors. At a net price of $28,358, the earnings-to-cost ratio is solid if debt is near the $24,813 institutional median.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration has 30 graduates with $54,171 year-one and $60,046 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.754 (ROI grade D). The D grade reflects high debt ($40,831 median -- the highest in the program data) against moderate earnings. The $40,831 median debt figure is concerning for a program where four-year earnings plateau at $60,046. Students borrowing near this level will face a challenging repayment trajectory in a regional Oklahoma job market with limited salary upside.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 69.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 68.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 66.2% |
| Enrollment | 673 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 29.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,562 |
At 66.2%, OKWU is moderately accessible. Test score data is not reported by the Scorecard. The completion rate of 34.8% -- not the admission rate -- is the most important number here. Students who are admitted face poor odds of actually graduating, and students who do not complete will carry debt without the credential.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Oklahoma Wesleyan's Scorecard peers include Southern Nazarene University, Randall University, Heritage University, Cleary University, and Briar Cliff University -- all small evangelical or faith-affiliated privates with similar enrollment profiles. ROI scores for these specific peers are not available in current files. Oklahoma Christian University (ROI 40) appears in this batch; OKWU (ROI 51) scores higher primarily due to the debt-to-earnings sub-score advantage (0.491 vs. 0.716 for OC). Both institutions share completion-rate challenges. Students comparing faith-based Oklahoma privates should prioritize completion rate and nursing program quality as the key differentiators.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Wesleyan University (this school) | 51 | $28,358 | $59,841 |
| Southern Nazarene University | 55 | $22,084 | $54,951 |
| Heritage University | 51 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| Cleary University | 49 | $22,143 | $54,186 |
| Briar Cliff University | 46 | $23,907 | $54,475 |
| Randall University | 18 | $16,383 | $42,051 |
Who Thrives Here
Oklahoma Wesleyan University admits 66.2% of applicants and enrolls 673 students in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. SAT and ACT score ranges are not reported by the Scorecard. The Pell grant rate of 29.3% indicates moderate economic diversity. OKWU is a Wesleyan Holiness evangelical institution with a distinctive campus culture. Students drawn to this faith tradition who are pursuing nursing or engineering will find a niche fit. The 34.8% completion rate is a severe warning for most prospective students -- less than 1 in 3 enrollees graduates, which means the probability of completing the credential is poor regardless of program choice.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Oklahoma Wesleyan University is mixed. At $28,358 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $59,841 ten years after entry - a payback period of 10.2 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 34.8% graduation rate.
Median debt of $24,813 against $59,841 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.