Degree Dividend
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Carl Albert State College vs Eastern Oklahoma State College: which has better ROI?

Public, Poteau OK · vs · Public, Wilburton OK

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Eastern Oklahoma State College comes closer — median earnings $38,658 against a $21,660 total, vs $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCarl Albert State CollegeEastern Oklahoma State College
Net price / yr$14,607$10,830
Total net cost$29,214$21,660
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,117$38,658
Median debt$9,362$11,900
Payback
20-year net return-$314,074-$215,700

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Carl Albert State College or Eastern Oklahoma State College?

Eastern Oklahoma State College, at $10,830 a year after aid versus $14,607 — a gap of $3,777 a year, or $7,554 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 Eastern Oklahoma State College graduates earn more?

Eastern Oklahoma State College graduates report a median $38,658 ten years after entry, $4,541 more than the $34,117 at Carl Albert State 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 Eastern Oklahoma State College?

Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $11,900 at Eastern Oklahoma State College, a difference of $2,538. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at Carl Albert State College, against 27% at Eastern Oklahoma 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.

Carl Albert State College vs Eastern Oklahoma State College: frequently asked questions

Is Carl Albert State College or Eastern Oklahoma State College a better value?
Eastern Oklahoma State College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Carl Albert State College or Eastern Oklahoma State College?
Eastern Oklahoma State College: $10,830/yr net price after aid versus $14,607/yr at Carl Albert State College — a difference of $3,777 a year, or about $7,554 over four years.
Do Carl Albert State College or Eastern Oklahoma State College graduates earn more?
Eastern Oklahoma State College graduates earn a median $38,658 ten years after entry, versus $34,117 at Carl Albert State College — a $4,541 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.