Stillwater, OK · Private University
Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$57,413
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,234
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$25,754
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$103,016
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.23x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
65.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,378
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus graduates earn $12,413 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ranked by graduate earnings
57 graduates
50 graduates
254 graduates
146 graduates
52 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $96,261) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $24,871) is $71,390/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $96,261 | 3.7x |
| Fire Protection | $89,490 | 3.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,403 | 3.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $83,663 | 3.3x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $82,708 | 3.2x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $78,417 | 3.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $74,250 | 2.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(1yr data) | $74,056 | 2.9x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $72,820 | 2.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $72,645 | 2.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,317 | 2.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $72,132 | 2.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,003 | 2.8x |
| Civil Engineering(1yr data) | $71,176 | 2.8x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $69,486 | 2.7x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering(1yr data) | $68,226 | 2.6x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $65,876 | 2.6x |
| Agricultural Engineering(1yr data) | $65,494 | 2.5x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $60,545 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $56,827 | 2.2x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $56,272 | 2.2x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $55,230 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,967 | 2.1x |
| Agricultural Public Services | $54,870 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,247 | 2.0x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,274 | 2.0x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $51,143 | 2.0x |
| Public Health | $48,997 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $46,943 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,040 | 1.8x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $45,907 | 1.8x |
| Air Transportation(1yr data) | $45,682 | 1.8x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $45,585 | 1.8x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $45,366 | 1.8x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $44,515 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $44,208 | 1.7x |
| Soil Sciences(1yr data) | $43,421 | 1.7x |
| Animal Sciences | $43,388 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,047 | 1.7x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $42,404 | 1.6x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $40,442 | 1.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics(1yr data) | $40,413 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $39,574 | 1.5x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $38,040 | 1.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies(1yr data) | $37,393 | 1.4x |
| Housing and Human Environments(1yr data) | $37,351 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness(1yr data) | $35,437 | 1.4x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $35,385 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,281 | 1.3x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $31,068 | 1.2x |
| History(1yr data) | $30,522 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General(1yr data) | $27,775 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $26,025 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest(1yr data) | $24,871 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $57,413 10 years after starting — $12,413 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.6 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.