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University of Central Oklahoma vs Clary Sage College: which has better ROI?

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

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Central Oklahoma comes closer — median earnings $48,351 against a $73,236 total, vs $28,954 at Clary Sage College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Central OklahomaClary Sage College
Net price / yr$18,309$23,280
Total net cost$73,236$93,120
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,351$28,954
Median debt$21,000$8,898
Payback——
20-year net return-$73,416-$481,240

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

Which is cheaper, University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College?

University of Central Oklahoma, at $18,309 a year after aid versus $23,280 — a gap of $4,971 a year, or $19,884 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?

University of Central Oklahoma graduates report a median $48,351 ten years after entry, $19,397 more than the $28,954 at Clary Sage 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, University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College?

Clary Sage College: its completers carry a median $8,898 in federal loans versus $21,000 at University of Central Oklahoma, a difference of $12,102. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at Clary Sage College, against 37% at University of Central Oklahoma. 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.

University of Central Oklahoma vs Clary Sage College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College a better value?
University of Central Oklahoma 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, University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College?
University of Central Oklahoma: $18,309/yr net price after aid versus $23,280/yr at Clary Sage College — a difference of $4,971 a year, or about $19,884 over four years.
Do University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?
University of Central Oklahoma graduates earn a median $48,351 ten years after entry, versus $28,954 at Clary Sage College — a $19,397 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.