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University of Tulsa vs Southern Nazarene University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Tulsa OK · vs · Private nonprofit, Bethany OK

The verdict

University of Tulsa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $60,000 in 4.6 years versus 13.4 years at Southern Nazarene University, on median earnings of $61,408 vs $54,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of TulsaSouthern Nazarene University
Net price / yr$15,000$22,084
Total net cost$60,000$88,336
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,408$54,951
Median debt$21,500$21,900
Payback4.6 yrs13.4 yrs
20-year net return$200,960$43,484

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Tulsa or Southern Nazarene University?

University of Tulsa, at $15,000 a year after aid versus $22,084 — a gap of $7,084 a year, or $28,336 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Tulsa or Southern Nazarene University graduates earn more?

University of Tulsa graduates report a median $61,408 ten years after entry, $6,457 more than the $54,951 at Southern Nazarene University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Tulsa or Southern Nazarene University?

University of Tulsa: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $21,900 at Southern Nazarene University, a difference of $400. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at University of Tulsa, against 51% at Southern Nazarene University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of Tulsa vs Southern Nazarene University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Tulsa or Southern Nazarene University a better value?
University of Tulsa. It clears its $60,000 net cost in about 4.6 years versus 13.4 years at Southern Nazarene University, on median earnings of $61,408 vs $54,951 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Tulsa or Southern Nazarene University?
University of Tulsa: $15,000/yr net price after aid versus $22,084/yr at Southern Nazarene University — a difference of $7,084 a year, or about $28,336 over four years.
Do University of Tulsa or Southern Nazarene University graduates earn more?
University of Tulsa graduates earn a median $61,408 ten years after entry, versus $54,951 at Southern Nazarene University — a $6,457 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.