Carl Albert State College: $4,230 Tuition

$4,230Tuition

1,215Students

41%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,117Earnings

#8 in OklahomaPublic2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Carl Albert State College

Carl Albert State College serves southeastern Oklahoma as a stepping stone for students seeking affordable higher education or career training. The community college enrolls 1,215 students in the small town of Poteau, creating an intimate learning environment where students can build foundations for four-year degrees or enter the workforce directly. Nearly 89% of students come from within Oklahoma, reflecting the school's strong ties to the local community.

Students pay an average net price of $6,855 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable pathways to higher education in the region. About 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves many first-generation and low-income students. Graduates earn a median of $34,117 ten years after enrollment, while carrying typical debt loads of just $9,362. The monthly loan payment averages only $99, making the financial burden manageable for most graduates.

Women outnumber men at Carl Albert, comprising nearly 74% of the student body. The Vikings compete in eight varsity sports through the NCCAA, with 161 student-athletes sharing $337,032 in athletic scholarships. The 23:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than at four-year institutions, but the college maintains strong employment outcomes with an 89.5% job placement rate for graduates.

Academics & Faculty

Carl Albert State College serves as a stepping stone for students in southeastern Oklahoma's rural communities. Nearly 89% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's role as a local educational anchor. The 23:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than typical community colleges, though this keeps costs manageable with in-state tuition at $4,230. The college emphasizes career-focused programs alongside transfer pathways to four-year universities. With a 41% graduation rate, students face typical community college challenges of balancing work and family obligations. The school's career programs prepare graduates for immediate employment, with 89.5% finding work after completion. Strong nursing and allied health programs serve the region's healthcare workforce needs.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23:1
Full-Time Faculty: 52.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 41.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,117

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$53,358
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$52,733
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.	Associate	$22,329
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$20,388
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.	Certificate	$18,087

View all 37 programs →

Campus Life

This small-town community college sits in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, about 35 miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Only 300 students can live on campus, housing just a quarter of the 1,215 total enrollment. Most Vikings commute from surrounding rural communities in southeastern Oklahoma. You'll need both winter coats for January lows in the 30s and plenty of sunscreen for summer highs reaching the 90s.

The campus feels intimate with a 23:1 student-faculty ratio. Women make up 74% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment. Nearly 89% of students come from in-state, giving the college a tight-knit Oklahoma feel. The 161 student-athletes across eight varsity sports provide much of the campus energy, competing in NCCAA athletics. Weekends often revolve around outdoor activities like hiking nearby trails or fishing local lakes. Many students work part-time jobs in Poteau's retail and service sectors. The employment rate of 89.5% reflects the college's strong ties to regional employers who actively recruit graduates from the career programs.

Setting: Town-Distant
Housing Capacity: 300 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

8 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Domestic Violence	2	2
Burglary	1	1
Motor Vehicle Theft	2	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 27°–51°F
July Avg: 69°–93°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.7"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Carl Albert State College draws primarily from southeastern Oklahoma, with 89% of students coming from in-state. The student body is nearly three-quarters women, reflecting the college's strong nursing and education programs that traditionally attract female students. About half of all students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves as an affordable pathway for first-generation and lower-income families in rural Oklahoma. The demographics reflect a community college fulfilling its mission of providing accessible higher education to local students who might not otherwise have college opportunities.

Men: 26.3%
Women: 73.7%
White: 49.7%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 10.7%
Asian: 1.1%
In-State Students: 88.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 48.5%

Location

Poteau sits in southeastern Oklahoma, about 180 miles from Oklahoma City and 130 miles from Tulsa. The town of 8,500 residents lies in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains near the Arkansas border. With 88.52% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from rural communities across the region. The area offers outdoor recreation opportunities with nearby lakes and hiking trails, though students shouldn't expect big-city amenities. Poteau's small-town atmosphere means most social life revolves around the campus and local community events. The housing capacity of 300 students reflects the college's close-knit environment. Students considering colleges in Oklahoma may also compare Carl Albert State College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Poteau, Oklahoma 74953-5208

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,117
Median Earnings (5 years): $39,978
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 40.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $99/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,362

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Carl Albert State College?

Carl Albert State College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students who have completed high school or earned a GED. With 1,215 students enrolled, the college serves as an accessible entry point for higher education in southeastern Oklahoma. The Vikings focus on providing educational opportunities rather than selective admissions barriers.

How much does Carl Albert State College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,855 after financial aid, with in-state tuition at $4,230 annually. Nearly half of students (48.53%) receive Pell Grants, making this one of the most affordable college options in Oklahoma. The total cost of attendance reaches $11,510 including room and board.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Carl Albert State College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 23:1, which is higher than many four-year institutions but typical for community colleges. Carl Albert operates on a semester calendar system and focuses on career training programs alongside traditional transfer courses. The college emphasizes practical education that prepares students for immediate employment or further study.

What are the job prospects for Carl Albert State College graduates?

Graduates achieve an 89.5% employment rate, demonstrating strong job placement success. The median earnings reach $34,117 ten years after graduation, reflecting the college's emphasis on career-focused programs. Students typically carry manageable debt loads with a median of $9,362 and monthly loan payments of just $99.

Where do Carl Albert State College students live and what is campus life like?

The campus in Poteau offers housing for 300 students, serving a predominantly local population with 88.52% of students from Oklahoma. Women make up 73.66% of the student body, creating a unique campus active. The college sponsors 8 varsity sports teams competing in the NCCAA with 161 total athletes representing the Vikings.

Does Carl Albert State College serve as a good transfer option?

The college maintains a 41.20% six-year graduation rate, which includes both certificate completers and transfer students. Carl Albert specializes in providing transfer pathways to four-year universities while also offering career programs for immediate workforce entry. The college's location in a distant town setting creates a tight-knit community focused on student success.