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$5,061Tuition
1,865Students
41%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$37,566Earnings
#6 in OklahomaPublic2-yearNJCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Northern Oklahoma College

This community college has served rural Oklahoma since 1901, building a reputation for practical career training and affordable education. With 1,865 students spread across its Tonkawa campus, Northern Oklahoma College operates in true small-town fashion where faculty know students by name. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio reflects this personal approach to learning.

The financial picture looks promising for most families. Students pay an average net price of $8,201 after aid, with those from families earning under $30,000 paying just $5,902. Graduates earn a median of $37,566 ten years after completing their programs, while carrying only $11,000 in median debt. Monthly loan payments average a manageable $117, making this one of the more affordable paths to career advancement in Oklahoma.

Women outnumber men nearly two to one, with 64% of the student body being female. The college fields six varsity sports teams with 197 total athletes competing at the NJCAA level. Athletic scholarships totaling $1.17 million help recruit talent to this rural campus. Nearly 93% of students come from within Oklahoma, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere where local connections matter for both academic success and career placement after graduation.

Academics & Faculty

Northern Oklahoma College serves as a traditional community college focused on career preparation and transfer pathways. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay relatively small for a public institution, though students should expect less individual attention than at smaller private colleges. With a 40.90% six-year graduation rate, the college performs reasonably well for a rural community college, reflecting its mission to serve both traditional students and working adults. NOC offers strong programs in agriculture, nursing, and automotive technology that connect directly to regional job markets. The college also maintains solid transfer agreements with four-year universities, making it a popular stepping stone for students planning to continue their education while keeping costs manageable.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
40.9%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$37,566

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $46,924
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $23,649

View all 39 programs →

Campus Life

Northern Oklahoma College sits in Tonkawa, a town of about 3,000 people surrounded by wheat fields and cattle ranches. Tulsa lies 90 minutes south, while Oklahoma City is two hours away. With housing capacity for 619 students and total enrollment of 1,865, about one-third of students live on campus in residence halls that create a tight-knit community feel.

Oklahoma weather means you'll need both a heavy winter coat and plenty of sunscreen. Winters can drop below freezing with occasional ice storms, while summers regularly hit the 90s with intense sun. The campus centers around the historic administration building from the college's 1901 founding. With 197 total athletes competing in 6 NJCAA sports, games draw decent crowds from the small student body. Women make up 64.29% of students, creating a female-majority environment. Weekends often revolve around athletic events, trips to nearby lakes, or drives to Tulsa for shopping and entertainment. The rural setting means campus life moves at a slower pace than urban colleges.
Setting
Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity
619 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1901

Campus Safety (2023)

101 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Burglary 24 6 0 0
Rape 14 14 0 0
Stalking 11 4 0 0
Fondling 4 4 0 0
Aggravated Assault 5 2 0 0
Dating Violence 3 3 0 0
Domestic Violence 3 3 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
23°–46°F
July Avg
69°–93°F
Annual Precipitation
38.8"
Annual Snowfall
7.9"

Student Demographics

Students come from across Oklahoma, with over 9 out of 10 choosing to stay in-state for their education. The college draws heavily from rural communities seeking affordable pathways to four-year degrees or career training. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, reflecting strong programs in nursing, education, and health sciences. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, showing NOC serves working-class families looking for economic mobility. The campus attracts students who want small-town college life with big opportunities for transfer or immediate employment.
Men
35.7%
Women
64.3%
White
58.7%
Black
5.0%
Hispanic
12.6%
Asian
1.2%
In-State Students
92.8%
Pell Grant Recipients
29.9%

Location

Tonkawa sits in north-central Oklahoma, about 65 miles from Oklahoma City and 85 miles from Tulsa. The town has just over 3,000 residents, making it a classic small college community. With 92.76% of students coming from in-state, most are familiar with Oklahoma's rural landscape of rolling plains and agricultural communities. The college serves as Tonkawa's main employer and cultural center. Students experience true small-town life where everyone knows each other. The campus housing capacity of 619 means many students live on campus, creating a tight-knit residential community. Students considering colleges in Oklahoma may also compare Northern Oklahoma College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Tonkawa, Oklahoma 74653
Northern Oklahoma College
Northern Oklahoma College
Phillips University Pillars
Phillips University Pillars

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$37,566
Median Earnings (5 years)
$42,256
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$31,900
Loan Repayment Rate
44.5%
Monthly Loan Payment
$117/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Northern Oklahoma College?

Northern Oklahoma College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students regardless of high school GPA or test scores. The college enrolls 1,865 students with 92.76% coming from Oklahoma. This accessibility makes it a popular choice for students seeking affordable higher education or looking to transfer to four-year universities.

How much does Northern Oklahoma College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,201 after financial aid, with in-state tuition at $5,061 and out-of-state at $11,826. Nearly 30% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant need-based aid. The college keeps costs manageable for working-class families, especially those earning under $30,000 who pay just $5,902 net.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Northern Oklahoma College?

Northern Oklahoma College maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its rural campus in Tonkawa. The college operates on a semester system and has built a reputation as a solid stepping stone for students planning to transfer. Class sizes allow for reasonable interaction with professors while keeping costs low.

What are the employment outcomes for Northern Oklahoma College graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $37,566 ten years after enrollment with an 89.3% employment rate. The college's 40.9% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many community college students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. Monthly loan payments average just $117, making debt manageable for most graduates.

Does Northern Oklahoma College offer on-campus housing?

The college provides housing for up to 619 students at $7,584 per year for room and board. Women make up 64.29% of the student body while men represent 35.71%. The rural setting creates a close-knit campus community where students often know each other well.

What athletic programs does Northern Oklahoma College offer?

Northern Oklahoma College competes in the NJCAA with 6 varsity sports and 197 total athletes. The college awards $1,170,000 in athletic scholarships annually, making sports a significant pathway for student funding. Athletics have long been a source of pride for this small Oklahoma community, helping recruit talent from across the region.