Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,413 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,447 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,412,732.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 41% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Oklahoma State University Matters
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is a public research university in Stillwater, OK and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 21,773
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose Oklahoma State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 75% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1040–1250. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,447 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,413 ten years after enrolling — 41% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.64 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With around 21,773 students, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus in Stillwater, OK, offers a vibrant community for those eager to dive into areas like Business, Engineering, Biology, Psychology, and Humanities. The 75% acceptance rate means a broad range of students can find their place here, and the 67% graduation rate indicates that many who start here successfully reach their academic goals. This university is a solid option for students who want a traditional campus experience coupled with strong programs in fields that lead to various career paths.
Looking at life after graduation, students earn a median salary of $57,413 ten years into their careers. This figure suggests that graduates often find employment in meaningful roles that help them advance. The affordability of attending OSU-Main Campus is also noteworthy; with a net price of $17,447 after financial aid, it represents a reasonable investment for many students. While 28% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating support for lower-income families, the overall outcomes reflect a commitment to helping students succeed in the workforce.
When considering the financial aspects, the median debt of $20,500 is manageable, especially given the post-graduation earnings. This balance makes Oklahoma State an attractive choice for students who are diligent about their finances and looking for a supportive environment. Those who thrive here tend to be proactive, engaged in their studies, and ready to take advantage of the resources and opportunities available on campus.
Rankings
- #13 Best Bachelor's Programs in Oklahoma
- #13 Best Master's Programs in Oklahoma
- #13 Best Business Colleges in Oklahoma
- #17 Best Computer Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #17 Best Data Science Colleges in Oklahoma
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Oklahoma
- #19 Best Education Colleges in Oklahoma
- #22 Best Psychology Colleges in Oklahoma
Can I Get In?
How selective Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Oklahoma State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- SAT Average
- 1150
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 1040–1250
- ACT Range
- 20–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 86%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,704
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 19,117
- Admitted
- 13,503
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Oklahoma State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is $25,754, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,447. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,243 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,234
- Out-of-State
- $25,754
- Avg Net Price
- $17,447
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 37%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,243
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,314
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,893
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,711
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Oklahoma State University-Main Campus earn a median of $57,413, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,855
- 8 Years
- $53,121
- 10 Years
- $57,413
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,682)
- 44%
- 100% (1,682)
- 44%
- 100% (1,682)
- 44%
- 100% (1,682)
- 44%
How Oklahoma Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,447/year ($69,788 total). Graduates earn $57,413 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,482,520 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,412,732 (21.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $69,788
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,482,520
- Net Return
- $1,412,732
- ROI Multiple
- 21.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,447
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-6,302,848
Top Programs
The fields Oklahoma State University-Main Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 26% $61,913 early-career
- Engineering 10% $83,383 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $44,852 early-career
- Psychology 6% $33,464 early-career
- Humanities 5% $35,929 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $68,105 early-career
- Education 4% $45,495 early-career
- Health Professions 3% $31,771 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Oklahoma State University-Main Campus's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Oklahoma State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Oklahoma State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is $25,754, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,447. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,243 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Oklahoma State University-Main Campus earn a median of $57,413, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Oklahoma State University-Main Campus.
- University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR · Close peer70% grad $58,191 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Close peer68% grad $57,289 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI · Close peer68% grad $56,118 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS · Close peer65% grad $51,513 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · Close peer75% grad $63,126 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note