Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Oklahoma

Public universities in Oklahoma deliver teacher education programs at remarkably low net costs, with Southeastern Oklahoma State University charging just $6,352 annually while producing graduates who earn $37,208. This creates an unusual situation where the state's most affordable option matches the earnings of programs costing three times more. Oklahoma's energy and aerospace sectors, anchored by companies like Tinker Air Force Base, create steady demand for STEM educators and career technical instructors. The earnings gap between programs remains relatively narrow, spanning from $32,925 to $39,969, suggesting that choosing based on cost rather than potential income makes financial sense. Private institutions like Oklahoma Baptist University charge $23,880 but don't necessarily deliver higher graduate earnings than their public counterparts. Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program covers tuition for qualifying low-income students at public institutions, making teacher preparation even more accessible. The state's low cost of living amplifies the value proposition, as teacher salaries stretch further than in many other regions.

Programs

$6,352 – $26,827

Net Price Range

$36,076

Avg. Program Earnings

39.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, Oklahoma	$6,352	$37,208	$7,200	33.3%	74.2%
2	East Central University Ada, Oklahoma	$9,287	$37,208	$8,032	32.7%	70.1%
3	Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma	$11,366	$37,980	$5,970	35.4%	56.4%
4	Cameron University Lawton, Oklahoma	$10,705	$34,187	$6,900	21.5%
5	Langston University Langston, Oklahoma	$11,359	$33,459	$6,728	17.5%
6	Northeastern State University Tahlequah, Oklahoma	$11,800	$34,727	$7,513	37.2%	99.5%
7	Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, Oklahoma	$14,542	$37,208	$8,295	34.7%	76.8%
8	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	$16,378	$38,289	$10,234	65.9%	70.6%
9	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	$17,413	$39,969	$9,595	75.3%	72.9%
10	University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, Oklahoma	$18,990	$37,707	$8,522	37.5%	69.9%
11	Southern Nazarene University Bethany, Oklahoma	$17,838	$33,266	$29,600	48.8%
12	Oklahoma Christian University Edmond, Oklahoma	$21,423	$36,132	$25,900	55.2%	96.0%
13	Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	$21,556	$32,925	$33,586	64.2%	70.4%
14	Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, Oklahoma	$23,880	$34,793	$34,050	49.7%	47.3%
15	University of Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma	$23,678		$48,602	73.3%	69.2%
16	Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, Oklahoma	$7,557		$7,922	26.1%
17	Southwestern Christian University Bethany, Oklahoma	$19,692		$21,316	12.7%
18	Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	$17,123		$19,896	33.3%
19	Oral Roberts University Tulsa, Oklahoma	$23,600		$34,100	53.9%	78.4%
20	Bacone College Muskogee, Oklahoma	$12,197		$15,060	2.4%
21	Randall University Moore, Oklahoma	$16,474		$17,322	20.5%	42.9%
22	Oklahoma Wesleyan University Bartlesville, Oklahoma	$26,827		$31,466	28.4%	52.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University such good value for teacher education?

Southeastern charges the lowest net cost at $6,352 while its graduates earn $37,208, matching the salary outcomes of much more expensive programs. The university maintains a 74% acceptance rate and 33% graduation rate. Students can complete their teacher preparation without significant debt while entering a profession with stable employment prospects in Oklahoma's public school system.

How do private teacher education programs compare to public options in Oklahoma?

Private programs cost significantly more, with Oklahoma Baptist University at $23,880 compared to public options ranging from $6,352 to $18,990. However, private schools often show higher graduation rates, with Oklahoma Baptist at 50% and Oklahoma Christian at 55%. The earnings gap doesn't justify the cost difference, as most graduates earn between $33,000 and $40,000 regardless of their program's price.

Does Oklahoma's Promise scholarship affect teacher education costs?

Oklahoma's Promise covers full tuition for qualifying students at public universities, making programs like Northwestern Oklahoma State essentially free for eligible families. This program particularly benefits future teachers since education majors often come from lower-income backgrounds. Students can graduate debt-free and enter teaching without the financial pressure that drives many educators out of the profession.

Where do Oklahoma teacher education graduates find the best job opportunities?

Oklahoma's energy sector creates demand for career and technical education instructors, while Tinker Air Force Base and aerospace companies need STEM teachers for their communities. Rural districts often offer signing bonuses and loan forgiveness programs to attract teachers. Urban districts like Oklahoma City and Tulsa provide more professional development opportunities and typically offer slightly higher starting salaries than the state average.

Is the University of Oklahoma worth its higher cost for teacher education?

OU charges $17,413 net cost and produces the highest-earning graduates at $39,969, but this $2,000 salary advantage doesn't offset the $11,000 higher annual cost compared to Southeastern. OU does offer a 75% graduation rate, the highest among public options. Students should weigh the prestige and research opportunities against the significantly higher debt load upon graduation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.