Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Alva, Oklahoma. It enrolls 1,498 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
67/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes12
Value87
Affordability81
Selectivity39
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 65.5%, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
65.5%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
803 – 1036
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
16 – 21
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyRequiredSAT or ACT scores must be submitted with the application.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Northwestern Oklahoma State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
3.9 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $10,104 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$10,104
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
41%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
37%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$5,970
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$11,664
Room & Board (on-campus)
$5,720
Room & Board (off-campus)
$5,720
Books & Supplies
$1,800
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$6,250
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,250
Total Cost of Attendance
$18,672
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$6,439
$30,001 – $48,000
$7,828
$48,001 – $75,000
$10,539
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,638
Over $110,000
$16,065
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,75010%percentile
$3,75025%percentile
$17,355Medianpercentile
$15,20075%percentile
$23,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $11,000
↓ $6,355
No Pell $10,500
↓ $6,855
Dependent students $9,748
↓ $7,607
Independent students $12,922
↓ $4,433
Female students $11,000
↓ $6,355
Male students $10,500
↓ $6,855
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,004, less than completers ($17,355), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
34% of full-time students who enrolled at Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduate within six years, and 65% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
34%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
65%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $44,358 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$44,358
Earning > $25K
71%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$34,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$51,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$37,700
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$43,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$46,400
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $16,700, about 33% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↑
3.8 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 79% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is home to 1,498 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 43% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
1,498
Part-Time
12%
First-Generation
43%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 60.4%905
Hispanic 14.8%221
Other 12.7%190
Black 7.6%114
International 1.8%27
Asian 0.5%8
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: RemoteAlva, Oklahoma
Housing
Mostly residential886 beds on campus
Adult Learners
15%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Northwestern Oklahoma State University offers
a varied set of programs:
34 distinct programs across
21 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is 16:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
16:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$8,449
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$35M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$63,754
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
81 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
17
21%
$80,949
Associate Professors
14
17%
$69,951
Assistant Professors
25
31%
$60,338
Instructors
24
30%
$52,510
Lecturers
1
1%
$39,963
Pros & Cons of Northwestern Oklahoma State University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Northwestern Oklahoma State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Reasonable class sizes
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
Is Northwestern Oklahoma State University hard to get into?
Admissions at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 65.5%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Northwestern Oklahoma State University?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University has an acceptance rate of 65.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern Oklahoma State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Northwestern Oklahoma State University scored between 803 and 1036 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Northwestern Oklahoma State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Northwestern Oklahoma State University scored between 16 and 21 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Northwestern Oklahoma State University cost?
The average net price after aid at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is $10,104 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Northwestern Oklahoma State University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $44,358 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $10,104 per year. That's roughly 4.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Northwestern Oklahoma State University known for?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is best known for its programs in Recreation & Fitness, Other, Nursing, Agricultural Business and Management. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Northwestern Oklahoma State University are $44,358, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Northwestern Oklahoma State University accredited?
Yes. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University enrolls 1,498 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Northwestern Oklahoma State University?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates 34% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Northwestern Oklahoma State University a public or private college?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a Public institution.
Where is Northwestern Oklahoma State University located?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Alva, Oklahoma.
What programs does Northwestern Oklahoma State University offer?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University offers 34 distinct programs. The most popular include Recreation & Fitness, Other, Nursing, Agricultural Business and Management.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Northwestern Oklahoma State University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is 16:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Oklahoma
Other colleges in Oklahoma share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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Higher education data
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Do Selective Schools Actually Graduate More Students?
Across 1,645 four-year colleges, graduation rates climb steadily with selectivity, from 54% at open-admission schools to 93% at the most exclusive. The gap is real.
Graduation rate
Acceptance rate
Selectivity
Completion
College outcomes
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Earnings
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College ownership
Rankings That Feature Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University appears in these rankings, built from the same federal data and the UCD Score.
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