Bethany is home to two colleges, with 1,950 students on campus
Southern Nazarene University (1,599 students on campus) and Southwestern Christian University (351) are inside the city, and Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (2,173) is 4 miles from the center, in Oklahoma City. About 8% of Bethany’s residents are enrolled in college, above Oklahoma (6%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Bethany. Colleges are described, not graded.
Within 15 miles
11
34,310 students on campus
Nearest college
0.4 mi
Southwestern Christian University
Residents in college
8%
Above OK (6%)
Nearest community college
4 mi
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City · $3,779 tuition
Nearest public university
4 mi
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City · $3,779 in-state
Median household income
$57K
prices below start here
What stands out about college in Bethany
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at $48–75k, where Bethany’s median household income ($56,591) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Bethany: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
University of Central Oklahoma37% graduate$48k earnings$21k typical debt
Oklahoma City Community College27% graduate$38k earnings$10k typical debt
Rose State College20% graduate$38k earnings$10k typical debt
Oklahoma City University65% graduate$55k earnings$21k typical debt
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City15% graduate$41k earnings$14k typical debt
Oklahoma Christian University56% graduate$49k earnings$26k typical debt
Mid-America Christian University44% graduate$46k earnings$26k typical debt
Central Oklahoma College53% graduate$21k earnings$8k typical debt
Southwestern Christian University16% graduate$40k earnings$21k typical debt
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Majors
What students study in Bethany
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Bethany’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Business 33%Parks & recreation 14%Liberal arts 10%Health professions 8%Family sciences 6%Psychology 5%Everything else 24%
Biggest programs
Business Administration, Management and OperationsSouthern Nazarene University · 85 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Human Resources Management and ServicesSouthern Nazarene University · 52 graduates a year
$78k4 yrs out
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesSouthern Nazarene University · 25 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessSouthwestern Christian University · 22 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessSouthern Nazarene University · 19 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingSouthern Nazarene University · 19 graduates a year
$80k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsSouthwestern Christian University · 16 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsSouthern Nazarene University · 14 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Questions about college in Bethany
Is Bethany a college town?
No. About 8 of every 100 Bethany residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Oklahoma (6). The largest campus in the city, Southern Nazarene University, has 1,599 students on campus.
What colleges are in Bethany?
Southern Nazarene University and Southwestern Christian University are inside the city. Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City is 4 miles from the center, in Oklahoma City.
What is the closest community college to Bethany, and what does it cost?
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City in Oklahoma City, 4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,779 a year for Oklahoma residents; the federal net price, $7,081, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City cost if we live in Oklahoma?
Tuition and fees are $3,779 a year in-state and $9,564 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,981 (under $30,000 income) to $7,881 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bethany. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →
Photo: H.L.I.T. (flickr.com) · CC BY 2.0