Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Tulsa

University of Tulsa's nursing program starts strong but shows an unusual earnings trajectory that deserves attention. Graduates earn $74,029 in their first year—reasonably competitive nationally and above Oklahoma's median. However, four years later, median earnings drop to $69,294, a 6% decline that runs counter to typical career progression. While the $30,125 debt load is manageable with a 0.41 ratio to first-year earnings, you're paying private university prices for outcomes that rank middle-of-the-pack nationally (45th percentile) and in the upper-middle tier within Oklahoma (60th percentile).

The comparison to other Oklahoma nursing programs is telling. Several public universities—Northeastern State, Oklahoma Panhandle State, and Southwestern Oklahoma—produce graduates earning $75,000-$81,000 annually, suggesting that Tulsa's premium tuition doesn't translate to premium nursing outcomes. The backwards earnings pattern could reflect graduates moving into lower-paying specialty areas or relocating to markets with different pay scales, but it's a red flag either way.

For a nursing degree, this represents adequate but not exceptional value. If your child is committed to Tulsa for campus fit or academic environment, the debt level won't be crushing. But from a pure return-on-investment standpoint, Oklahoma's public nursing programs offer better financial outcomes at lower cost.