Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus at a Glance
Oklahoma State University is a public land-grant research university in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States.
1890
136 years old
$1.6B
$1.565 billion ( FY 2025) (system-wide)
27,241
22,341 undergrad · 4,890 grad
1,860
1,489 acres
Identity
Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Worth It?
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus offers moderate value at $17,447/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,413, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Oklahoma State University-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #26 of 58 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Florida Atlantic University | 100 | $8,752 | $56,746 |
| #4 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
| #5 | University of California-Riverside | 90 | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| #6 | Cypress College | 86 | $4,606 | $43,533 |
| #26 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | 55 | $17,447 | $57,413 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Oklahoma State University-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OK.
Best Programs at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is Chemical Engineering at $68,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $27,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Chemical Engineering graduate from Oklahoma State University-Main Campus earns $68,000, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $27,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Chemical Engineering graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $21,250 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,447/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $68,000 | $68,000 | $23,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,100 | $62,100 | $19,906 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,600 | $54,600 | $18,369 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,500 | $54,500 | $20,835 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $53,800 | $53,800 | $25,375 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,500 | $52,500 | $19,500 |
| Marketing | $41,800 | $41,800 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $22,267 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,500 | $36,500 | $15,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $36,500 | $36,500 | $21,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,400 | $34,400 | $20,570 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,900 | $33,900 | $21,719 |
| Sociology | $33,400 | $33,400 | $22,687 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $33,000 | $33,000 | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $31,800 | $31,800 | $21,662 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,200 | $31,200 | $22,228 |
| Animal Sciences | $29,500 | $29,500 | $17,467 |
| Psychology, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $21,250 |
Similar Colleges in OK
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Stillwater, OK
- Student Body
- 21,773 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,447
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,413
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500