Degree Dividend
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Northeastern State University vs Clary Sage College: which has better ROI?

Public, Tahlequah OK · vs · Private nonprofit, Tulsa OK

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northeastern State University comes closer — median earnings $45,379 against a $50,840 total, vs $28,954 at Clary Sage College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNortheastern State UniversityClary Sage College
Net price / yr$12,710$23,280
Total net cost$50,840$93,120
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,379$28,954
Median debt$17,367$8,898
Payback——
20-year net return-$110,460-$481,240

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

Which is cheaper, Northeastern State University or Clary Sage College?

Northeastern State University, at $12,710 a year after aid versus $23,280 — a gap of $10,570 a year, or $42,280 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 Clary Sage College graduates earn more?

Northeastern State University graduates report a median $45,379 ten years after entry, $16,425 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, Northeastern State University or Clary Sage College?

Clary Sage College: its completers carry a median $8,898 in federal loans versus $17,367 at Northeastern State University, a difference of $8,469. 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 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.

Northeastern State University vs Clary Sage College: frequently asked questions

Is Northeastern State University or Clary Sage College a better value?
Northeastern State University 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, Northeastern State University or Clary Sage College?
Northeastern State University: $12,710/yr net price after aid versus $23,280/yr at Clary Sage College — a difference of $10,570 a year, or about $42,280 over four years.
Do Northeastern State University or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?
Northeastern State University graduates earn a median $45,379 ten years after entry, versus $28,954 at Clary Sage College — a $16,425 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.