Tulsa Community College vs University of Tulsa: which has better ROI?
University of Tulsa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $60,000 in 4.6 years versus not at all at Tulsa Community College, on median earnings of $61,408 vs $39,746 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Tulsa Community College | University of Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,288 | $15,000 |
| Total net cost | $12,576 | $60,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,746 | $61,408 |
| Median debt | $12,223 | $21,500 |
| Payback | — | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$184,856 | $200,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Tulsa Community College or University of Tulsa?
Tulsa Community College, at $6,288 a year after aid versus $15,000 — a gap of $8,712 a year, or $47,424 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Tulsa Community College or University of Tulsa graduates earn more?
University of Tulsa graduates report a median $61,408 ten years after entry, $21,662 more than the $39,746 at Tulsa Community 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, Tulsa Community College or University of Tulsa?
Tulsa Community College: its completers carry a median $12,223 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of Tulsa, a difference of $9,277. 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 28% at Tulsa 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.