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Northwestern Oklahoma State University vs Clary Sage College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northwestern Oklahoma State University comes closer — median earnings $44,358 against a $40,416 total, vs $28,954 at Clary Sage College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorthwestern Oklahoma State UniversityClary Sage College
Net price / yr$10,104$23,280
Total net cost$40,416$93,120
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,358$28,954
Median debt$17,355$8,898
Payback
20-year net return-$120,456-$481,240

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

Which is cheaper, Northwestern Oklahoma State University or Clary Sage College?

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, at $10,104 a year after aid versus $23,280 — a gap of $13,176 a year, or $52,704 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Northwestern Oklahoma State University or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?

Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates report a median $44,358 ten years after entry, $15,404 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, Northwestern Oklahoma State University or Clary Sage College?

Clary Sage College: its completers carry a median $8,898 in federal loans versus $17,355 at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, a difference of $8,457. 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 30% at Northwestern Oklahoma 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.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University vs Clary Sage College: frequently asked questions

Is Northwestern Oklahoma State University or Clary Sage College a better value?
Northwestern Oklahoma 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, Northwestern Oklahoma State University or Clary Sage College?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University: $10,104/yr net price after aid versus $23,280/yr at Clary Sage College — a difference of $13,176 a year, or about $52,704 over four years.
Do Northwestern Oklahoma State University or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?
Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates earn a median $44,358 ten years after entry, versus $28,954 at Clary Sage College — a $15,404 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.