Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City vs Carl Albert State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City comes closer — median earnings $41,307 against a $14,162 total, vs $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | Carl Albert State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,081 | $14,607 |
| Total net cost | $14,162 | $29,214 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,307 | $34,117 |
| Median debt | $14,250 | $9,362 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$155,222 | -$314,074 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City or Carl Albert State College?
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, at $7,081 a year after aid versus $14,607 — a gap of $7,526 a year, or $15,052 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-Oklahoma City or Carl Albert State College graduates earn more?
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City graduates report a median $41,307 ten years after entry, $7,190 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 State University-Oklahoma City or Carl Albert State College?
Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $14,250 at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, a difference of $4,888. 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 15% at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City. 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.