At $11,800/yr net price, Northeastern State University graduates earn $45,379/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,379/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,800 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,379/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,379/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,367 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,624/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,468/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,083/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,943/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,134/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optometry. | Doctoral | $100,404 | $158,826 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $72,796 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $12,500 |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $68,219 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $67,660 | $16,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $60,298 | $19,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $17,565 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $51,482 | $33,410 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $50,439 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $49,370 | $18,225 |
The Risk Factor
37.2% of students at Northeastern State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Northeastern State University gives you a low-cost degree with modest but real payoff, as long as you pick the right major. At under $12,000 a year with median debt around $17,000, you are not taking on the kind of loan burden that sinks graduates. The median earnings ten years out sit below $46,000, so the return is decent for the price but not a ticket to high income on its own.
The major you choose decides everything here. Nursing graduates clear roughly $69,000 while carrying the lowest debt of any top program at NSU, which is the strongest single bet on this campus. Computer Science and Management Information Systems both land in the $50,000-$60,000 range, and accounting sits just under $50,000. These are your paths to a return that beats the campus median. If you enroll without aiming at nursing, tech, or accounting, expect earnings closer to that $45,000 median.
The real risk at NSU is not debt, it is finishing. Only about 37 percent of students graduate, and fewer than two-thirds return after freshman year. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the loans without the earnings that justify them. Your ROI depends on you being in the group that actually walks out with a diploma.
On price, families earning under $48,000 pay around $9,500 a year, while families above $110,000 pay closer to $17,000. Even the top tier is affordable for a four-year degree. This school fits you if you want a low-debt path into nursing, IT, or accounting near the Tahlequah region and you are confident you will finish. Look elsewhere if you want a major outside those fields and need strong earnings to justify the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northeastern State University worth the cost?
Northeastern State University offers below-average returns with graduates earning $45,379 ten years after enrollment, which is low compared to the national average. The low net price of $11,800 per year helps offset weak earnings, but the 37% graduation rate creates significant risk of leaving with debt and no degree.
What are the best paying majors at Northeastern State University?
Optometry graduates from Northeastern State University earn around $100,404 annually, making it the clear winner for ROI. Accounting ($72,796) and nursing ($69,338) also provide solid returns, while most other programs struggle to reach competitive salary levels.
How much debt do Northeastern State University graduates have?
Northeastern State University graduates carry a median debt of $17,367, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with low average earnings of $45,379, even this modest debt load represents a significant portion of post-graduation income.
Should I attend Northeastern State University for the low tuition?
The $11,800 net price makes Northeastern State University affordable, but the 37% graduation rate means nearly two-thirds of students don't finish. Low completion rates combined with below-average earnings make this a risky choice unless you're pursuing optometry or another high-paying program.