Head-to-head comparison
University of Central Oklahoma vs Clary Sage College: which has better ROI?
Option A Edmond, OK
University of Central Oklahoma
- Net price / year
- $18,309
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,351
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Tulsa, OK
Clary Sage College
- Net price / year
- $23,280
- Earnings, 10 years
- $28,954
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Central Oklahoma comes closer — median earnings $48,351 against a $73,236 total, vs $28,954 at Clary Sage College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Central Oklahoma | Clary Sage College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,309 | $23,280 |
| Total net cost | $73,236 | $93,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,351 | $28,954 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $8,898 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$73,416 | -$481,240 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College?
University of Central Oklahoma, at $18,309 a year after aid versus $23,280 — a gap of $4,971 a year, or $19,884 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?
University of Central Oklahoma graduates report a median $48,351 ten years after entry, $19,397 more than the $28,954 at Clary Sage College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Central Oklahoma or Clary Sage College?
Clary Sage College: its completers carry a median $8,898 in federal loans versus $21,000 at University of Central Oklahoma, a difference of $12,102. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Clary Sage College, against 37% at University of Central Oklahoma. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.