Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, Oklahoma · Public
ROI Score: 46/100 · Below Average Value
Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford scores ROI 46 (Below Average Value) -- a regional public with 3,514 undergraduates in western Oklahoma. Median 6-year earnings are $39,400, reaching $45,744 at 10 years -- a slow earnings growth curve that signals most graduates stay in Oklahoma's lower-wage regional economy. The payback period of 18.4 years is the school's most damning metric; the completion rate of 39.7% means fewer than four in ten students who enroll graduate. The school does not report admissions selectivity data. Pharmacy is the surprising bright spot: 67 graduates earn $115,284 at year one -- PharmD graduates entering a licensed profession with immediate high earnings. Nursing (222 graduates) is the volume anchor with strong ROI grades. Health-related programs drive the school's ROI above what the general student body outcomes would suggest. Non-health programs face earnings in the $40,000-$50,000 range against a 39.7% completion rate.
The data raises concerns about Southwestern Oklahoma State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate39.7% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period18.4 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,469/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $8,499/yr |
| Average net price | $14,459/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,836 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,744 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,954 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $169 |
| Estimated payback period | 18.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 39.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,514 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Southwestern Oklahoma State University is $8,469/year ($8,499/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,459/year, or roughly $57,836 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $10,987/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,595/year.
The median graduate leaves with $15,954 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $169 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $45,744 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.41 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $10,987 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,094 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,069 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,500 |
| $110,001+ | $19,595 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $10,987 per year -- low for any school type. Over four years that is roughly $43,948. Against the 39.7% completion rate, this cost is nearly irrelevant if a student does not finish. For nursing or pharmacy students who complete, the math is very favorable: $10,987/year in costs against $75,846+ in first-year earnings.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket pays $10,094 -- slightly less than the lowest bracket. The 48,001-75,000 bracket rises to $12,069, and the 75,001-110,000 bracket jumps to $17,500. The slope steepens through the upper middle range. Middle-income Oklahoma families in the $75-110k band see a meaningful cost increase relative to lower-income peers.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $19,595 per year. Over four years that is roughly $78,380. At this cost level, even a 18.4-year institutional payback average is manageable for pharmacy or nursing graduates, who individually clear the investment in under 2 years of post-graduation earnings. For non-health majors at this price, the 18.4-year average payback period is a real warning.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Southwestern Oklahoma State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $89,549 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $51,657 | C+ |
| Pharmacy | $115,284 | A |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $50,704 | B+ |
| Teacher Education | $42,538 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $45,982 | C+ |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $47,607 | C |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $50,716 | C |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $55,560 | - |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $50,937 | C+ |
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.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is SWOSU's standout program: 67 graduates earn a median $115,284 at year one -- PharmD-level earnings reflecting immediate licensed professional employment in hospital, retail, and clinical pharmacy settings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.141 (ROI grade A) with $16,250 median debt is exceptional -- among the best in this analysis. SWOSU's pharmacy program benefits from Oklahoma's relatively lower cost of living and tuition compared to private pharmacy schools, creating a genuine high-value pathway. This is not a general undergraduate degree; pharmacy is a doctoral program (PharmD), and the earnings reflect licensed professional entry rather than undergraduate outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is SWOSU's largest program by volume with 222 graduates per year and the clearest undergraduate ROI story. Median 1-year earnings of $75,846 and 4-year earnings of $89,549 reflect western Oklahoma's consistent RN demand, where rural hospital systems face persistent shortages. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.317 (ROI grade B+) with $24,027 median debt is well-controlled. Nursing at SWOSU provides access to licensed clinical practice at public-school pricing in a state where nursing demand consistently exceeds supply.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration produces 127 graduates annually -- SWOSU's largest non-health program. Median 1-year earnings of $43,762 and 4-year earnings of $51,657 reflect western Oklahoma's modest salary environment for business generalists. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.511 (ROI grade C+) with $22,356 median debt is functional at public-school pricing but not a strong ROI story. Students who complete SWOSU business and join Oklahoma City or Tulsa employers see higher upside than the Weatherford-based median reflects.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 56.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 64.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 3,514 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,875 |
This school does not report admissions selectivity data. Oklahoma public universities generally operate with broad access policies. Students should review program-specific admission requirements, particularly for the pharmacy program which has its own competitive selection criteria within SWOSU.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
SWOSU (ROI 46) sits above Cameron University (ROI 20, payback 35.9 yr) and below University of Central Oklahoma (ROI 38, earn6yr $36,900) in its peer set. SWOSU's pharmacy program creates a school-wide earnings anomaly: if pharmacy graduates were removed from the calculation, the school's 6-year median would likely be lower than $39,400. Wayne State College and Western Oregon University are comparable regional publics. SWOSU's strength is its healthcare professional programs; its institutional weakness is the 39.7% completion rate across the general student body.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University (this school) | 46 | $14,459 | $45,744 |
| Clayton State University | 46 | $8,365 | $49,179 |
| Wayne State College | 46 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
| Western Oregon University | 45 | $17,237 | $51,815 |
| University of Central Oklahoma | 38 | $18,309 | $48,351 |
| Cameron University | 20 | $10,912 | $40,118 |
Who Thrives Here
SWOSU fits students who are Oklahoma residents, committed to health professions or education, and need rural-campus pricing. This school does not report admissions selectivity data. With 38.9% Pell recipients, it serves a substantial low-income population. The 39.7% completion rate is the school's most urgent structural problem -- nearly two-thirds of enrolled students do not graduate. Students entering pharmacy, nursing, or health sciences have much better completion rates than the institutional average; the general student body drags the number down. Health sciences students, particularly pharmacists, receive outsized returns relative to the school's modest cost.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Southwestern Oklahoma State University is mixed. At $14,459 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $45,744 ten years after entry - a payback period of 18.4 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and a 39.7% graduation rate and a long payback period.
Median debt of $15,954 against $45,744 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.