Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northeastern State University at a Glance
Northeastern State University is a public university whose main campus is in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The university also has campuses in Muskogee and Broken Arrow. Northeastern is Oklahoma's oldest institution of higher learning and one of the oldest west of the Mississippi River. Tahlequah is home to the capital of the Cherokee Nation and about 25% of NSU students identify themselves as American Indian. The university has many courses focused on Native American linguistics, and offers Cherokee lan…
1909
117 years old
6,642
5,085 undergrad · 1,557 grad
200 acres
Identity
Is Northeastern State University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Northeastern State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,379 — 16% below average — while paying $12,710/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 36% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 100% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Northeastern State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Northeastern State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OK
Ranked #100 of 152 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #100 | Northeastern State University | 32 | $12,710 | $45,379 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northeastern State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in OK.
Best Programs at Northeastern State University
The highest-earning program at Northeastern State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $68,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Northeastern State University earns $68,300, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,710/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,300 | $68,300 | $13,248 |
| Computer Science | $54,400 | $54,400 | $19,137 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $50,100 | $50,100 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,300 | $46,300 | $14,625 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $41,000 | $41,000 | $20,875 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $39,500 | $39,500 | $21,048 |
| Public Health | $35,600 | $35,600 | $23,172 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $34,700 | $34,700 | $18,672 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,500 | $34,500 | $15,367 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,500 | $33,500 | $18,451 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,200 | $32,200 | $18,329 |
| Biology, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $17,485 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,300 | $30,300 | $17,563 |
| Social Work | $29,900 | $29,900 | $22,331 |
| Marketing | $29,500 | $29,500 | $18,792 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,100 | $29,100 | $19,655 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $23,251 |
| Psychology, General | $26,800 | $26,800 | $19,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $16,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,600 | $23,600 | $15,714 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,200 | $21,200 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in OK
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Tahlequah, OK
- Student Body
- 4,772 students
- Admission Rate
- 100%
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,710
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,379
- Median Student Debt
- $17,367