Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus vs University of Tulsa: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

University of Tulsa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $60,000 in 4.6 years versus 7.7 years at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, on median earnings of $61,408 vs $57,413 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureOklahoma State University-Main CampusUniversity of Tulsa
Net price / yr$17,447$15,000
Total net cost$69,788$60,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,413$61,408
Median debt$20,500$21,500
Payback7.7 yrs4.6 yrs
20-year net return$111,272$200,960

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

Which is cheaper, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus or University of Tulsa?

University of Tulsa, at $15,000 a year after aid versus $17,447 — a gap of $2,447 a year, or $9,788 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 State University-Main Campus or University of Tulsa graduates earn more?

University of Tulsa graduates report a median $61,408 ten years after entry, $3,995 more than the $57,413 at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus. 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 State University-Main Campus or University of Tulsa?

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of Tulsa, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at University of Tulsa, against 68% at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus. 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 State University-Main Campus vs University of Tulsa: frequently asked questions

Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus or University of Tulsa a better value?
University of Tulsa. It clears its $60,000 net cost in about 4.6 years versus 7.7 years at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, on median earnings of $61,408 vs $57,413 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus or University of Tulsa?
University of Tulsa: $15,000/yr net price after aid versus $17,447/yr at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus — a difference of $2,447 a year, or about $9,788 over four years.
Do Oklahoma State University-Main Campus or University of Tulsa graduates earn more?
University of Tulsa graduates earn a median $61,408 ten years after entry, versus $57,413 at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus — a $3,995 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.