Oklahoma Panhandle State University: $7,922 Tuition

$7,922Tuition

997Students

26%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$44,933Earnings

#20 in OklahomaPublic4-yearNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Oklahoma Panhandle State University serves 997 students in the agricultural heartland of the Oklahoma panhandle. This small regional university has built its reputation around agricultural and liberal arts programs that reflect the farming community surrounding Goodwell. The rural-distant setting means wide open spaces and a tight-knit campus where students know their professors personally. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small and personal attention comes standard.

The financial picture tells a compelling story for budget-conscious families. Students pay an average net price of $7,557 after aid, making this one of the most affordable college options in Oklahoma. Graduates carry a median debt load of just $12,500, well below national averages. Recent graduates earn a median of $44,933 within ten years, creating manageable monthly loan payments of $133. The low sticker price reflects the school's mission to serve rural Oklahoma families without breaking the bank.

The Aggies field 19 varsity sports teams competing in NAIA athletics, with 340 student-athletes receiving $1.3 million in athletic scholarships. However, the 26% six-year graduation rate and 47% retention rate signal that many students struggle to finish their degrees. The campus houses 513 students, creating a close community atmosphere where 58% of students are women.

Academics & Faculty

Oklahoma Panhandle State University built its reputation around agriculture and education programs that serve the rural farming communities of the panhandle. The school operates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio across nearly 1,000 students, providing decent access to professors in this regional setting. However, only 26% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the challenges many face balancing work and family obligations common in agricultural areas. The university offers practical programs in agribusiness, education, and nursing that directly feed into local job markets. Students often choose OPSU for its affordability and connection to ranching and farming careers rather than traditional four-year academic outcomes.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Full-Time Faculty: 72.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 24.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 26.1%
Retention Rate: 47.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $44,933
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$64,196
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$40,467
Biology, General.	Bachelor	$27,295
Animal Sciences.	Bachelor	$25,194

View all 33 programs →

Campus Life

Oklahoma Panhandle State sits 120 miles from Amarillo in the heart of wheat and cattle country. The campus houses 513 students, accommodating just over half the student body in residence halls. You'll need both winter coats and sunscreen here - summers hit 90+ degrees while January temperatures drop below freezing across the flat prairie landscape.

With 997 total students and a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, everyone knows everyone on this tight-knit campus. The Aggies compete in 19 NAIA sports with 340 student-athletes making up over a third of enrollment. Agriculture programs reflect the surrounding farmland, while the school maintains strong rodeo traditions. Weekends often center around athletic events or trips to nearby Guymon for shopping and dining. The rural setting means entertainment is largely campus-based - residence hall activities, intramural sports, and outdoor recreation dominate social life. Students develop close relationships with professors and classmates in this small-town environment where the nearest major city requires a two-hour drive.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 513 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1909

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Burglary	5	2
Aggravated Assault	1	1
Domestic Violence	1	1
Rape	1	1
Fondling	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 19°–48°F
July Avg: 64°–92°F
Annual Precipitation: 36.2"
Annual Snowfall: -765.2"

Student Demographics

Oklahoma Panhandle State draws students from across the region, with nearly two-thirds coming from outside Oklahoma. The student body of 997 reflects the school's agricultural roots and rural setting. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, likely drawn to the university's education and nursing programs alongside its traditional agricultural offerings. With 44% receiving Pell Grants, the Aggies serve many first-generation college students from farming and ranching families. The diverse mix includes substantial Hispanic and Black populations, reflecting the changing demographics of rural Oklahoma and the broader Southwest.

Men: 41.9%
Women: 58.1%
White: 49.5%
Black: 12.7%
Hispanic: 21.9%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 37.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 43.6%

Location

Goodwell sits in Oklahoma's remote panhandle, about 100 miles from Amarillo, Texas. The campus serves fewer than 1,000 students in one of the state's most sparsely populated regions. This agricultural heartland stretches across flat prairie with endless wheat fields and cattle ranches. The town revolves around the university and farming community. Only 37% of students come from in-state, drawing many from neighboring Texas, Kansas, and Colorado who seek affordable tuition. The rural-distant setting means the nearest shopping or entertainment requires a significant drive. Students considering colleges in Oklahoma may also compare Oklahoma Panhandle State University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Goodwell, Oklahoma 73939-0430

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $44,933
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,814
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $33,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 51.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $133/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student-faculty ratio at Oklahoma Panhandle State University?

Oklahoma Panhandle State University has a 19:1 student-faculty ratio with just 997 students enrolled. This small agricultural and liberal arts school in rural Goodwell provides relatively intimate class sizes despite being a public institution.

How much does Oklahoma Panhandle State University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $7,557 annually at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. With 43.56% of students receiving Pell Grants and room and board costing $6,260, the school serves many low-income students in the Oklahoma panhandle.

What is the graduation rate at Oklahoma Panhandle State University?

Only 26.10% of students graduate within six years at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The retention rate is 47.13%, reflecting challenges common among rural regional universities serving first-generation college students.

How much do Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates earn?

Graduates earn a median of $44,933 ten years after enrollment at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The employment rate is 97.0%, and typical monthly loan payments are just $133, making this an affordable path to stable employment in agricultural and rural communities.

Where do Oklahoma Panhandle State University students come from?

Only 37.40% of students are from Oklahoma at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, with many drawn from neighboring states. The student body is 49.45% white, 21.87% Hispanic, and 12.74% Black, reflecting the diverse agricultural communities of the Great Plains.

Does Oklahoma Panhandle State University have strong athletics programs?

Oklahoma Panhandle State University competes in NAIA athletics with 19 varsity sports and 340 total athletes. The Aggies receive $1,328,450 in athletic scholarships, making sports a significant part of campus life at this small rural institution founded in 1909.