Degree Dividend
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Oklahoma City Community College vs Carl Albert State College: which has better ROI?

Public, Oklahoma City OK · vs · Public, Poteau OK

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Oklahoma City Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,146 against a $9,478 total, vs $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOklahoma City Community CollegeCarl Albert State College
Net price / yr$4,739$14,607
Total net cost$9,478$29,214
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,146$34,117
Median debt$10,388$9,362
Payback
20-year net return-$213,758-$314,074

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

Which is cheaper, Oklahoma City Community College or Carl Albert State College?

Oklahoma City Community College, at $4,739 a year after aid versus $14,607 — a gap of $9,868 a year, or $19,736 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Oklahoma City Community College or Carl Albert State College graduates earn more?

Oklahoma City Community College graduates report a median $38,146 ten years after entry, $4,029 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, Oklahoma City Community College or Carl Albert State College?

Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $10,388 at Oklahoma City Community College, a difference of $1,026. 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 27% at Oklahoma City Community 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.

Oklahoma City Community College vs Carl Albert State College: frequently asked questions

Is Oklahoma City Community College or Carl Albert State College a better value?
Oklahoma City Community College 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, Oklahoma City Community College or Carl Albert State College?
Oklahoma City Community College: $4,739/yr net price after aid versus $14,607/yr at Carl Albert State College — a difference of $9,868 a year, or about $19,736 over four years.
Do Oklahoma City Community College or Carl Albert State College graduates earn more?
Oklahoma City Community College graduates earn a median $38,146 ten years after entry, versus $34,117 at Carl Albert State College — a $4,029 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.