Carl Albert State College vs Clary Sage College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carl Albert State College comes closer — median earnings $34,117 against a $29,214 total, vs $28,954 at Clary Sage College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carl Albert State College | Clary Sage College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,607 | $23,280 |
| Total net cost | $29,214 | $93,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,117 | $28,954 |
| Median debt | $9,362 | $8,898 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$314,074 | -$481,240 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carl Albert State College or Clary Sage College?
Carl Albert State College, at $14,607 a year after aid versus $23,280 — a gap of $8,673 a year, or $63,906 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carl Albert State College or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?
Carl Albert State College graduates report a median $34,117 ten years after entry, $5,163 more than the $28,954 at Clary Sage College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Carl Albert State College or Clary Sage College?
Clary Sage College: its completers carry a median $8,898 in federal loans versus $9,362 at Carl Albert State College, a difference of $464. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Clary Sage College, against 43% at Carl Albert State College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.