Carl Albert State College vs Western Oklahoma State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Western Oklahoma State College comes closer — median earnings $38,248 against a $14,534 total, vs $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carl Albert State College | Western Oklahoma State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,607 | $7,267 |
| Total net cost | $29,214 | $14,534 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,117 | $38,248 |
| Median debt | $9,362 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$314,074 | -$216,774 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carl Albert State College or Western Oklahoma State College?
Western Oklahoma State College, at $7,267 a year after aid versus $14,607 — a gap of $7,340 a year, or $14,680 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 Western Oklahoma State College graduates earn more?
Western Oklahoma State College graduates report a median $38,248 ten years after entry, $4,131 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 Western Oklahoma State College?
Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Western Oklahoma State College, a difference of $138. 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 31% at Western 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.