At $23,678/yr net price, University of Tulsa graduates earn $61,408/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,408/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,678 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,712 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,408/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,408/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,809/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,984/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,340/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,462/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,755/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians. | Master | $124,271 | |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $80,022 | $26,950 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $69,338 | |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,812 | $16,764 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,660 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $66,171 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,493 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,020 | $27,000 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $57,318 | $90,365 |
The Risk Factor
73.3% of students at University of Tulsa graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 27% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Tulsa delivers solid financial returns if you pick the right major, with median earnings of $61,408 putting graduates well above the national average for their debt load of $21,500.
Energy systems and petroleum engineering majors see strong payoffs, with energy systems graduates earning $124,271 annually. Even mechanical engineering delivers strong value at $67,812 with below-average debt of $16,764. These programs capitalize on Tulsa's position in America's energy hub, where oil and gas companies actively recruit.
Business administration graduates earn $69,338, which represents decent but not outstanding value given the school's private tuition costs. The data suggests you should avoid non-STEM majors here unless you have significant financial aid.
Your biggest risk is choosing the wrong program at a school where tuition runs high. The 73% graduation rate means one in four students never finish their degrees, leaving them with debt but no credential. The 85% retention rate suggests academic rigor that some students cannot handle.
This school works financially if you can get into petroleum or energy systems engineering and want to work in the oil and gas industry. The regional job market strongly favors these graduates. You should look elsewhere if you want liberal arts, education, or social sciences, where the high private school costs will not pay off.
With only 26% of students receiving aid, merit scholarships appear limited. Your best cost strategy involves finishing quickly in a high-paying technical field rather than banking on significant financial aid discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Tulsa worth the cost?
University of Tulsa offers mixed value depending on your major. Engineering and energy programs justify the cost with strong earnings, but many graduates earn around $61,000 annually against $21,500 in debt.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Tulsa?
Energy Systems Technologies leads at $124,271 annually, followed by Petroleum Engineering at $80,022. Business and other engineering programs typically start around $67,000-69,000.
How much debt do University of Tulsa graduates have?
The median debt is $21,500, which is manageable compared to many private schools. With a net price of $23,678 per year, most students graduate with reasonable debt levels.
Does University of Tulsa have good financial aid?
The net price of $23,678 suggests decent aid for a private university. However, 27% of students don't graduate, which increases the risk of debt without a degree.