Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, Oklahoma · Public · 76.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 48/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SE) is a regional public university in Durant, OK, enrolling about 3,018 students. SE has in-state tuition of $7,530 and a net price of only $8,039. The ROI score of 48 (Below Average Value) reflects two structural weaknesses: a 31.5% completion rate - meaning fewer than one in three students who enter will graduate within six years - and a payback period of 17.1 years. The low tuition minimizes debt (median $17,000), but students who don't graduate still accumulate costs and obligations without the earnings boost of a degree. For those who do complete, the earnings premium of 31.3% over non-college workers and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 are respectable relative to cost. SE's strongest programs - computer science, aviation technology, and management - project solid earnings for degree completers. Its location in southern Oklahoma and proximity to the Chickasaw Nation and regional industry create genuine placement corridors for graduates who stay in-state.
How Southeastern Oklahoma State University scores under our methodology
These are the College Scorecard measures that pull this school's CampusROI score down. They describe the published figures, not the quality of the education, and they are our reading of the data. Check them against your own aid offer and intended major.
- 6-year graduation rate31.5% - The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our score, since a degree that is not finished rarely pays back.
- Payback period17.1 years - The median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,530/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $16,740/yr |
| Average net price | $8,039/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $32,156 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,079 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $180 |
| Estimated payback period | 17.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 31.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,018 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $7,530/year ($16,740/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $8,039/year, or roughly $32,156 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $5,193/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $13,570/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $17,000, which works out to about $180 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($34,300) and comes to 0.50, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,193 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,333 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,247 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,275 |
| $110,001+ | $13,570 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (under $30,000) pay $5,193 net. The 17-year payback period reflects the full student population's outcomes; program choosers who graduate in tech or aviation face a dramatically shorter horizon. Pell grants and Oklahoma Promise scholarships can further reduce costs toward zero.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001 - $75,000 income band pays $8,247 net - a modest step up, with four-year cost around $33,000. Middle-income families get excellent affordability but should note the completion rate risk. Students who stop out without a degree still carry $17,000 median debt. Enrolling full-time, living on-campus if feasible, and choosing a career-aligned program are the clearest predictors of completing within four to five years.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $13,570 net. For families who can pay out of pocket without borrowing, SE becomes an even stronger ROI play: eliminate the debt, keep the earnings, and the payback period effectively shrinks to zero.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Southeastern Oklahoma State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $52,418 | C |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $66,785 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,672 | - |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $53,029 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,523 | B |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $39,544 | C+ |
| Biology | $45,800 | - |
| Teacher Education | $46,166 | B |
| Accounting | $61,000 | - |
| Psychology | $35,428 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences is SE's strongest ROI program. Eight graduates earned $55,922 in year one and $95,825 at four years - exceptional growth reflecting the Oklahoma City and Dallas tech corridor pull. Debt data is not reported for this cohort, limiting full ratio analysis. At SE's $8,039 net price, a CS degree likely means modest total debt, positioning graduates well against the strong earnings trajectory.
Quality Control and Safety Technologies
Quality Control and Safety Technologies is SE's largest high-ROI program by graduate count (64). Graduates earn $51,356 at one year and $66,785 at four, with a 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio (C+). This program feeds directly into aerospace, defense, and energy sector quality and safety roles - industries with strong Oklahoma and Texas presence. At SE's low net cost, the ratio improves materially for students with below-average debt.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Management graduates (43 reported) earn $44,959 at one year and $53,029 at four years, with a 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio (C+). This is a broadly applicable business program that feeds regional industry, government, and tribal enterprise employment. The four-year earnings ceiling is lower than pure accounting or finance tracks, but debt is minimal at SE's tuition level.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education (17 graduates) shows a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 and an ROI grade of B - SE's best graded program. One-year earnings of $42,194 match Oklahoma starting teacher salaries. The relatively low median debt of $16,500 combined with Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for public school teachers makes this one of SE's cleaner ROI stories.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (29 graduates) earns $34,958 at one year and $51,523 at four years, with a 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio and B grade - better than the institutional average. SE's program feeds law enforcement, tribal government security, and corrections roles across the region. Public safety careers often include loan repayment benefits that further improve net ROI for graduates choosing this path.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 63.9% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 67.7% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 52.1% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.3% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 76.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 490-593 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-593 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-24 |
| Enrollment | 3,018 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 41.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,173 |
SE admits 76% of applicants. ACT mid-range is 18 - 24 composite; SAT mid-range is 490 - 593 across sections. Admission is accessible for most high school graduates. Prospective students should assess their readiness for college-level coursework, particularly in quantitative fields; SE's low completion rate partly reflects students entering under-prepared. Early placement testing and developmental coursework advisement can improve persistence.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University (this school) | 48 | $8,039 | $45,079 |
| SUNY at Fredonia | 51 | $15,897 | $54,247 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | 51 | $11,772 | $51,129 |
| Wayne State College | 46 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
| University of Central Oklahoma | 38 | $18,309 | $48,351 |
| Cameron University | 20 | $10,912 | $40,118 |
Who Thrives Here
SE suits price-sensitive students in southern Oklahoma and north Texas who can commute or live cheaply in Durant, and who have a clear program in mind. Aviation and technology students in particular benefit from SE's aviation science focus and regional industry ties. Students drawn to the campus's low cost should pair enrollment with robust advising and financial planning to improve completion odds. The 41.6% Pell Grant rate confirms SE's role serving first-generation and working-class families.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Southeastern Oklahoma State University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $8,039 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $45,079 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 17.1 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 31.5% graduation rate, a three-year loan repayment rate of 67.7% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%), a long payback period.
Median debt of $17,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $34,300 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University: Common Questions
Is Southeastern Oklahoma State University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Southeastern Oklahoma State University scores 48/100 on our ROI scale. At $8,039 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $45,079 ten years after entry, so it takes about 17.1 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Southeastern Oklahoma State University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $8,039 a year, or roughly $32,156 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $45,079 ten years after enrolling, roughly $3,279 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Southeastern Oklahoma State University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 17.1 years for Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $17,000, against average earnings of $34,300 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Southeastern Oklahoma State University?
The six-year graduation rate is 31.5%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.