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Carl Albert State College vs Oklahoma Baptist University: which has better ROI?

Public, Poteau OK · vs · Private nonprofit, Shawnee OK

The verdict

Oklahoma Baptist University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,832 in 1132.9 years versus not at all at Carl Albert State College, on median earnings of $48,434 vs $34,117 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCarl Albert State CollegeOklahoma Baptist University
Net price / yr$14,607$20,958
Total net cost$29,214$83,832
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,117$48,434
Median debt$9,362$24,801
Payback1132.9 yrs
20-year net return-$314,074-$82,352

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

Which is cheaper, Carl Albert State College or Oklahoma Baptist University?

Carl Albert State College, at $14,607 a year after aid versus $20,958 — a gap of $6,351 a year, or $54,618 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 Oklahoma Baptist University graduates earn more?

Oklahoma Baptist University graduates report a median $48,434 ten years after entry, $14,317 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 Oklahoma Baptist University?

Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $24,801 at Oklahoma Baptist University, a difference of $15,439. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

52% of students finish at Oklahoma Baptist University, 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.

Carl Albert State College vs Oklahoma Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is Carl Albert State College or Oklahoma Baptist University a better value?
Oklahoma Baptist University. It clears its $83,832 net cost in about 1132.9 years versus no clear payback at Carl Albert State College, on median earnings of $48,434 vs $34,117 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Carl Albert State College or Oklahoma Baptist University?
Carl Albert State College: $14,607/yr net price after aid versus $20,958/yr at Oklahoma Baptist University — a difference of $6,351 a year, or about $54,618 over four years.
Do Carl Albert State College or Oklahoma Baptist University graduates earn more?
Oklahoma Baptist University graduates earn a median $48,434 ten years after entry, versus $34,117 at Carl Albert State College — a $14,317 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.