Southwestern Oklahoma State University vs Carl Albert State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Southwestern Oklahoma State University comes closer — median earnings $45,744 against a $57,836 total, vs $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Carl Albert State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,459 | $14,607 |
| Total net cost | $57,836 | $29,214 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,744 | $34,117 |
| Median debt | $15,954 | $9,362 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$110,156 | -$314,074 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southwestern Oklahoma State University or Carl Albert State College?
Southwestern Oklahoma State University, at $14,459 a year after aid versus $14,607 — a gap of $148 a year, or $28,622 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Southwestern Oklahoma State University or Carl Albert State College graduates earn more?
Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates report a median $45,744 ten years after entry, $11,627 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, Southwestern Oklahoma State University or Carl Albert State College?
Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $15,954 at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, a difference of $6,592. 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 40% at Southwestern 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.