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University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK
privateWebsite
74
Value
Median Earnings (10yr)
$61,408
+14% vs average
Net Price / Year
$15,000
-26% vs average
Graduation Rate
73%
Payback Period
1 years
Median Debt
$21,500
Student Body
2,813

University of Tulsa — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)

Admission Rate
62%

University of Tulsa at a Glance

The University of Tulsa (TU) is a private research university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. Originally established as the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls and later as the Henry Kendall College in 1894, it merged with the proposed McFarlin College to become the University of Tulsa in 1920. As of 2024, the university enrolled 3,769 students.

Founded

1894

132 years old

Endowment

$1.3B

$1.335 billion (2025)

Students

3,769

3,029 undergrad · 1,122 grad

Faculty

306

Campus

230 acres

Identity

Motto: "Wisdom, Faith, Service"Athletics: Golden HurricaneMascot: Gus T.Colors: Royal blue, old gold, and crimsonAffiliation: Nondenominational, historically Presbyterian Church (USA)President: Stacy Leeds

How to Apply to University of Tulsa

Official admissions page
Test-optionalCommon App memberInterview: Optional / where available

Testing policy

While not required, the following items could strengthen your application: SAT or ACT results (Information on UTulsa’s Test Optional Policy can be found here ) Essay (Essay prompts are on the application for admission.

Interview

Talk with Tulsa Interviews FAQ: Test Score Optional Apply as a First-Year Domestic Student You are considered a first-year domestic student if you are a U.
Requirements can change between admissions cycles. Always verify current requirements on the official admissions page before applying.

Is University of Tulsa Worth It?

University of Tulsa delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $15,000/year, it's priced 26% below average, while graduates go on to earn $61,408 — 14% above the national average.

The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.

The 73% graduation rate means roughly 27% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.

Bottom line: University of Tulsa delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.

How University of Tulsa compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally

Ranked #1 of 49 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.

RankCollegeValueNet price / yrMedian earnings
#1University of Tulsa74$15,000$61,408
#2Centre College66$20,781$66,240
#3DePauw University61$22,264$70,527
#4Fresno Pacific University57$13,630$58,896
#5North Park University50$16,948$59,572
#6Daemen University48$18,693$61,808

Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Tulsa's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OK.

Best Programs at University of Tulsa

The highest-earning program at University of Tulsa is Petroleum Engineering at $69,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $37,000/year.

Your major matters more than the school name — a Petroleum Engineering graduate from University of Tulsa earns $69,300, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $37,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.

Return on Investment

Estimated 4-Year Cost

$60,000

Based on $15,000/yr net price × 4 years

Earnings Premium

+14%

vs. national average of $53,787/yr

Payback Period

1 years

Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings

10-Year Net Gain

$554,080

Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance

Programs & Earnings by Major

Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):

MajorEarnings (4yr)Earnings (1yr)Median Debt
Petroleum Engineering$69,300$69,300$25,852
Chemical Engineering$67,600$67,600$19,000
Mechanical Engineering$64,900$64,900$21,537
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$57,500$57,500$26,945
Business Administration, Management and Operations$37,000$37,000N/A

Quick Facts

Institution Type
private
Location
Tulsa, OK
Student Body
2,813 students
Admission Rate
62%
Graduation Rate
73%
Net Price (Annual)
$15,000
Median Earnings (10yr)
$61,408
Median Student Debt
$21,500
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings are measured 10 years after enrollment. Net price reflects average cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal financial aid. Value scores are calculated using our methodology.