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Southern Nazarene University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Bethany, OK · 1,455 students

The verdict

Southern Nazarene University charges a net price of $22,084/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $88,336. Graduates earn a median $54,951 ten years after entry, $6,591/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 13.4 years — a 20-year net return of $43,484, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Southern Nazarene University's 13.4-year payback ranks #911 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 29% of them, and #5 of 53 in Oklahoma.

Better ROI than 29% of US colleges#911 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$22,084
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$54,951
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
13.4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Southern Nazarene University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$22,084/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$88,336our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$54,951Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$6,591/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$21,900Scorecard, 2026
Payback13.4 yrsour math
20-year net return$43,484our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Southern Nazarene University: frequently asked questions

Is Southern Nazarene University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Southern Nazarene University charges $22,084/yr after aid ($88,336 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $54,951 ten years out — $6,591/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 13.4 years and returns $43,484 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Southern Nazarene University degree take to pay off?
About 13.4 years. We divide the $88,336 four-year net cost by the $6,591/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Southern Nazarene University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $22,084/yr — about $88,336 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Southern Nazarene University compare to other Oklahoma colleges?
It ranks #5 of 53 Oklahoma colleges we track by payback. Its $54,951 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $22,084 net price is above the national median of $16,906.