Northeastern State University vs Carl Albert State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northeastern State University comes closer — median earnings $45,379 against a $50,840 total, vs $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northeastern State University | Carl Albert State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,710 | $14,607 |
| Total net cost | $50,840 | $29,214 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,379 | $34,117 |
| Median debt | $17,367 | $9,362 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$110,460 | -$314,074 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Northeastern State University or Carl Albert State College?
Northeastern State University, at $12,710 a year after aid versus $14,607 — a gap of $1,897 a year, or $21,626 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Northeastern State University or Carl Albert State College graduates earn more?
Northeastern State University graduates report a median $45,379 ten years after entry, $11,262 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, Northeastern State University or Carl Albert State College?
Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $17,367 at Northeastern State University, a difference of $8,005. 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 35% at Northeastern State University. 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.