University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Chickasha, Oklahoma · Public · 65.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 37/100 · Poor Value
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) scores 37, landing in the Poor Value tier despite very low costs. This is Oklahoma's public liberal arts college, a small selective-by-Oklahoma-standards school in Chickasha. In-state tuition is just $9,000, net price drops to $6,624, and total four-year cost is roughly $26,496 - among the cheapest four-year programs in the dataset. The problem is on the earnings side: median earnings six years after entry are only $30,400 climbing to $41,913 by year ten. That produces a 26.1% earnings premium (sub-score 57, modest) but a 24.1-year payback period (sub-score 22) because median debt of $21,750 is high relative to the school's actual tuition, suggesting students borrow to cover living costs as much as tuition. Debt-to-earnings is 0.715 (sub-score 26). Completion rate is 44.1% (sub-score 28). The 74.6% three-year repayment rate is moderately healthy. USAO works well only in the narrowest case: a low-income Oklahoma student getting Pell-covered tuition who completes a teacher-education or business credential and uses the degree for stable local employment. The liberal-arts identity does not translate to earnings premium in the rural Oklahoma labor market.
The data raises concerns about University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score37/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period24.1 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,000/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,190/yr |
| Average net price | $6,624/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $26,496 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,913 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,750 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $231 |
| Estimated payback period | 24.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 44.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 941 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is $9,000/year ($20,190/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 $6,624/year, or roughly $26,496 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $3,493/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $14,413/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $21,750 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $231 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $41,913 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.71 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $3,493 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,548 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,223 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,352 |
| $110,001+ | $14,413 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay just $3,493 net per year (about $13,972 over four years). This is essentially fully covered by Pell, making USAO effectively free for the lowest bracket. With 51% Pell enrollment, this is the modal case and is the strongest argument for the school.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-110,000) face a real price step: $7,223 in the $48,001-75,000 bracket jumps to $13,352 in the $75,001-110,000 bracket - a near-doubling of net price. Four-year cost runs $29,000-$53,000. The math works at the lower end of the middle band but gets tight at the upper end against $30,400 six-year earnings.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $14,413 per year ($57,652 over four years). This is still cheap by national standards but a 4x increase from the lowest bracket. At this price, Oklahoma higher-income families are typically comparing USAO to Oklahoma State or OU at similar cost with much stronger earnings outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 3 most popular majors at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $35,647 | - |
| Teacher Education | $44,218 | - |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,426 | - |
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.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 16 students with $35,647 first-year earnings; four-year earnings, debt, and ROI grade are not reported, likely due to small cohort size. This is among USAO's larger programs and the first-year number is in the typical range for rural Oklahoma business graduates.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 5 students with $39,848 first-year earnings and $44,218 by year four - typical flat Oklahoma teacher salary curve. Debt and ratio data are not reported due to small cohort. This is the school's clearest pipeline into stable local employment, even if the earnings ceiling is low.
Fine and Studio Arts
Fine and Studio Arts graduates 5 students with $14,912 first-year earnings and $28,426 by year four. Debt data is not reported. The very weak first-year earnings reflect the rural Oklahoma art labor market; this is the kind of program that defines USAO's liberal-arts identity but produces the weakest financial outcomes in the file.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 73.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 74.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 63.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 65.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 510-580 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-700 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-26 |
| Enrollment | 941 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 51.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,356 |
USAO admits 65.8% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 510-580 (math) and 580-700 (reading) and ACT composite mid-range of 21-26. The reading SAT scores are notably higher than the math scores, consistent with the school's liberal-arts and humanities identity. These mid-ranges are above-average for an open-access Oklahoma public, and the 66% admit rate combined with a 44% completion rate suggests the academic preparation issue is less about screening and more about external attrition factors (Pell rate is 51%).
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
USAO's peer set (Cameron University, University of Central Oklahoma, Peru State College, New Mexico Highlands University, Wright State Lake Campus) is reasonable. Cameron and UCO are the closest Oklahoma comps as similar-sized regional publics, and typically post slightly better completion rates at comparable cost. Peru State and NM Highlands are similar small rural publics with similar earnings ceilings. Wright State Lake Campus is a two-year branch and not a meaningful comp. Across the set, USAO's 37 score is mid-pack and primarily limited by rural Oklahoma labor-market earnings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (this school) | 37 | $6,624 | $41,913 |
| Wright State University-Lake Campus | 48 | $11,081 | $49,500 |
| Peru State College | 41 | $11,632 | $47,071 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | 39 | $14,838 | $45,937 |
| University of Central Oklahoma | 38 | $18,309 | $48,351 |
| Cameron University | 20 | $10,912 | $40,118 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment is small at 941 with a 51.2% Pell rate. This is a high-need, rural Oklahoma student body. USAO works for low-income Oklahomans entering teacher-education or business who plan to work locally and use Pell to keep out-of-pocket cost near zero. It is less defensible for students drawn to the school's fine arts or humanities offerings, where the credential does not produce meaningful earnings improvement against local wages. The 73% one-year repayment rate suggests graduates are servicing debt but at modest income levels.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. With a net cost of $6,624 per year and median graduate earnings of only $41,913 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 24.1 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 44.1% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,750 against $41,913 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.