Oklahoma State University-Main Campus vs University of Central Oklahoma
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus holds a 32-point ROI advantage over University of Central Oklahoma, scoring 70/100 versus 38/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus comes in at $17,447 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,309 at University of Central Oklahoma - a difference of $862 annually, or roughly $3,448 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $57,413 compared to $48,351 at University of Central Oklahoma. The payback period is 9.4 years at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus versus 16 years at University of Central Oklahoma.
Graduates leave Oklahoma State University-Main Campus with a median $20,500 in debt versus $21,000 at University of Central Oklahoma. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.57 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Oklahoma State University... | University of Central Okl... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $10,234 | $8,818 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $25,754 | $19,704 |
| Net Price (avg) | $17,447 | $18,309 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $69,788 | $73,236 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,600 | $36,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,413 | $48,351 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.2% | 36.8% |
| Payback Period | 9.4 yr | 16 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $21,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $223 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.57 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 74.8% | 69.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 71.4% | 61.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75.0% | 78.1% |
| Enrollment | 21,773 | 10,170 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Oklahoma State Unive... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,243 | $15,275 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,314 | $15,828 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,893 | $17,776 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $21,896 | $23,249 |
| $110,001+ | $24,711 | $24,183 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Oklahoma State Unive... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $96,447 | $90,152 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,436 | $88,188 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $85,641 | $87,792 |
| Registered Nursing | $82,326 | $82,603 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $81,340 | $58,334 |
| Accounting | $81,039 | $73,074 |
| Public Health | $52,517 | $67,452 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,062 | $64,107 |
| International Relations | $63,977 | $52,852 |
| Marketing | $62,716 | $60,961 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $61,369 | $60,207 |
| Biology | $59,081 | $50,748 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $56,543 | $57,186 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $56,319 | $50,636 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $54,953 | $48,851 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Oklahoma State Unive... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 71 | 36 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 65 | 35 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 77 | 59 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 75 | 17 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 54 | 39 |
| Overall ROI Score | 70 | 38 |
The Verdict
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus significantly outperforms University of Central Oklahoma on financial ROI (70 vs 38). The 32-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless University of Central Oklahoma offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Oklahoma State University-Main Campus.
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Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Central Oklahoma
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.