At $7,557/yr net price, Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates earn $44,933/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,933/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,557 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,228 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,933/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,933/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,372/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,224/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,356/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,933/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $64,196 | $10,408 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,467 | $16,521 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $27,295 | $19,673 |
| Animal Sciences. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
26.1% of students at Oklahoma Panhandle 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
Oklahoma Panhandle State University gives you a low sticker price and low debt, but the payoff depends almost entirely on what you study. At under $8,000 a year and a median debt of $12,500, you are not risking much money. The risk here is finishing at all: only about a quarter of students graduate, and fewer than half return after their first year. Those numbers are the real threat to your return, not tuition.
Nursing is the clear win. It pays roughly $64,000 ten years out on some of the lowest debt of any program here, which puts it far ahead of everything else the school offers. Business Administration lands near the school-wide median but comes with the heaviest debt load of the listed programs, so the math is tighter. Biology and Animal Sciences are the weak spots: both pay in the mid-$20,000s, and Biology pairs that low pay with the highest debt of any bachelor's program listed. If you study those two subjects here, expect earnings below what a typical high school graduate makes, with more debt attached.
The net price tiers hold a trap. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay the least. But the $48,000-$75,000 bracket pays the most of any group, more than families earning $75,000-$110,000. Middle-income families get the worst deal here, so run your own aid numbers before assuming the low headline price applies to you.
This school fits you if you are going into nursing, live in the region, and want to keep debt near zero. Look elsewhere if you want a Biology or Animal Sciences degree that pays, or if you need a school with strong odds of getting you to graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oklahoma Panhandle State University worth the cost?
With a low net price of $7,557 and median debt of just $12,500, Oklahoma Panhandle State University offers good affordability. However, the extremely low 26% graduation rate means most students don't finish their degrees, which significantly hurts the value proposition.
What programs at Oklahoma Panhandle State University have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Oklahoma Panhandle State University provide the strongest return, with graduates earning around $64,196 annually. Business administration graduates earn $40,467, while biology and animal science majors see much lower returns at $27,295 and $25,194 respectively.
How much debt do Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates typically have?
Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates have a median debt of $12,500, which is relatively manageable. The bigger concern is the 26% graduation rate, meaning most students may accumulate debt without earning a degree.
Do Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates earn enough to justify the cost?
Graduates earn a median of $44,933 ten years after enrollment, which provides decent returns given the low cost and debt levels. The major risk is the poor graduation rate, as three-quarters of students don't complete their programs.