Southern Nazarene University
Bethany, OK 73008
About Southern Nazarene University
Southern Nazarene University is a private research university in Bethany, Oklahoma, enrolling about 1,455 students. Southern Nazarene University awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $31,190 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $54,951 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Southern Nazarene University charges 6% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($31,190).
- Versus the Oklahoma median, sticker tuition is about 3.9×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 50.51%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $54,951.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Southern Nazarene University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 522% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Nazarene University | $31,190 | $22,084 | 1 |
| Private Non-profit (national median) | $29,325 | — | 1,444 |
| Oklahoma (state median) | $7,921 | $10,956 | 42 |
| Rural (locale median) | $14,160 | $18,700 | 1,649 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 29% below published tuition at Southern Nazarene University
Key findings
- Southern Nazarene University's average net price ($22,084) is 29% below published tuition ($31,190).
- Southern Nazarene University charges 6% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($31,190).
- Versus the Oklahoma median, sticker tuition is about 3.9×.
Southern Nazarene University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $31,190
Finding Southern Nazarene University charges 6% above the national private non-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $31,190. That is 6% above the national private non-profit median ($29,325). Versus the Oklahoma median ($7,921), sticker tuition is about 3.9×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 2.6×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private non-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Southern Nazarene University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Southern Nazarene University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Southern Nazarene University is $22,084.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $22,084 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $11,128 above the Oklahoma median net price. Versus rural campuses, net price runs $3,384 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Southern Nazarene University’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 29% lower after grants and scholarships.
Southern Nazarene University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Southern Nazarene University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$31,190
Avg. net price
$22,084
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $18,931 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $18,323 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $22,590 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $27,082 |
| $110,001+ | $27,434 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $124,760. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Southern Nazarene University is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General119
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General79
- Organizational Behavior Studies55
- General Studies47
- English/Language Arts Teacher Education37
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Southern Nazarene University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Southern Nazarene University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Southern Nazarene University.
Campus
Location
Bethany, OK
City / state
- ZIP
- 73008
- NCES locale
- Rural fringe
Compared with Rural campuses nationally, net price is 18% above the median for Rural campuses ($18,700 median).
Control
Institution type
Private Non-profit
Control
- Region
- Southwest
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Size
Enrollment
1,455
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,710
- Graduate
- 742
- Full-time share
- 81%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$21,900
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 46.96%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Southern Nazarene University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Southern Nazarene University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Southern Nazarene University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $22,044 | $22,044 | $18,428 |
| 2014 | $22,690 | $22,690 | $18,868 |
| 2015 | $23,320 | $23,320 | $15,160 |
| 2016 | $24,468 | $24,468 | $9,053 |
| 2017 | $25,178 | $25,178 | $20,311 |
| 2018 | $25,234 | $25,234 | $17,644 |
| 2019 | $25,416 | $25,416 | $17,210 |
| 2020 | $26,000 | $26,000 | $20,139 |
| 2021 | $27,000 | $27,000 | $19,449 |
| 2022 | $28,600 | $28,600 | $20,194 |
| 2023 | $29,600 | $29,600 | $17,838 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Southern Nazarene University reported total enrollment of about 1,455 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (49.1%), Hispanic or Latino (18.4%), and Black or African American (13.1%). About 46.96% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 38.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
81.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Southern Nazarene University in 2024 is 1,455 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,710 students. Graduate enrollment is about 742 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
72.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
48.14% 100% Completion Time
50.51% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 48.14% of students graduating from Southern Nazarene University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 52% male / 48% female
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 34% male / 66% female
- Organizational Behavior Studies: 44% male / 56% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Southern Nazarene University graduates earn a median of $54,951 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Southern Nazarene University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $54,951. Median federal loan debt: $21,900. Average net price used in cost models: $22,084.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Southern Nazarene University graduates report median earnings of $54,951 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Southern Nazarene University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (47 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Southern Nazarene University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Southern Nazarene University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Southern Nazarene University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$44.6M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Oklahoma median 2.4× the median ($18.4M)
- Southwest median 1.9× the median ($23.2M)
- U.S. median 1.7× the median ($26.4M)
- Oklahoma median 2.4× the median ($9,743)
- Southwest median 2.3× the median ($10,113)
- U.S. median 1.9× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 49.5%
- Oklahoma median 14.0 pp below median (63.5%)
- Southwest median 10.2 pp below median (59.7%)
- U.S. median 8.4 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $6,779
- Oklahoma median 1.1× the median ($6,142)
- Southwest median near the median ($7,078)
- U.S. median 0.89× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,999
- Oklahoma median 1.1× the median ($7,250)
- Southwest median 1.4× the median ($5,699)
- U.S. median 1.1× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Southern Nazarene University at a glance
Southern Nazarene University
Southern Nazarene University is a private non-profit institution in Bethany, OK, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralEducational Leadership and Administration, GeneralOrganizational Behavior Studies
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian49.1%Hispanic or Latino18.4%Black or African American13.1%
- Opportunity College (2025)
- Higher access & higher earnings · Browse OCU directory
Schools near Southern Nazarene University
Other campuses in Bethany, OK when available, plus nearby institutions in Oklahoma.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within Oklahoma, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southern Nazarene University located?
Southern Nazarene University is located in Bethany, OK.
What is Southern Nazarene University's tuition?
Southern Nazarene University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $31,190 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $22,084 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Southern Nazarene University cost?
Reported tuition is $31,190 and average net price is $22,084 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,474 annually.
Why is Southern Nazarene University's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Southern Nazarene University, published tuition is $31,190 while average net price is $22,084—about 29% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Southern Nazarene University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($22,084), completion (50.5% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($54,951). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Southern Nazarene University?
Southern Nazarene University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,710 students, White (49.1%), Hispanic or Latino (18.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Southern Nazarene University?
About 38.0% of students at Southern Nazarene University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Southern Nazarene University earn?
Median earnings are $48,255 six years after entry and $54,951 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Nazarene University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 50.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Southern Nazarene University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,900.
Is Southern Nazarene University public or private?
Southern Nazarene University is a private nonprofit institution located in Bethany, OK.
Is Southern Nazarene University an HBCU?
No. Southern Nazarene University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.