Rogers State University's primary strength lies in its genuine affordability and commitment to serving first-generation students throughout Oklahoma.
While earnings outcomes lag behind peer institutions, the university provides accessible pathways to bachelor's degrees without overwhelming debt burdens.
Rogers State University ranks among Oklahoma's more affordable public options, though it faces challenges in delivering strong long-term earnings outcomes for graduates. Located in Claremore, this medium-sized regional university serves a substantial population of first-generation students (43%) and Pell recipients (38%), providing broad access to higher education in northeastern Oklahoma. The university's affordability metrics place it in the 63rd percentile nationally, with net prices that remain manageable across income levels.
However, Rogers State struggles with completion rates and earnings outcomes that fall below national averages. The six-year graduation rate of 25% reflects the challenges many regional universities face in supporting students through degree completion. Ten-year median earnings of $43,166 place the institution in the 26th percentile nationally, indicating that graduates typically earn less than peers at other public universities.
As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in Azimuth's mobility framework, Rogers State combines reasonable access with outcomes that don't fully translate into strong economic mobility. For students prioritizing affordability and regional connections over maximum earnings potential, the university offers a pathway to a bachelor's degree at costs that won't overwhelm most families.
Rogers State's program portfolio reflects its regional mission and the career pathways most readily available to graduates in northeastern Oklahoma. Business Administration represents the university's largest and most successful program, graduating 79 students annually with median earnings around $35,701 ten years after graduation. While these earnings fall below national averages for business majors, they reflect the types of management and administrative roles available in the regional economy.
Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods, despite its academic-sounding title, graduates 34 students who earn about $28,381 in their early careers. This program likely prepares students for analytical and research support roles in various sectors. Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies shows somewhat stronger outcomes at $37,424 for its 23 graduates, suggesting that students who design their own academic pathways may find slightly better career opportunities.
The earnings levels across all programs reflect Rogers State's regional focus and the economic realities of northeastern Oklahoma. While graduates find employment, the modest salary levels indicate that most career paths lead to local and regional opportunities rather than high-mobility positions that might drive stronger long-term earnings growth.
Rogers State University graduates face earnings challenges that prospective students should understand clearly. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $43,166, placing the institution in the bottom quartile nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. More concerning, graduates actually earn about $2,936 less than similar students at comparable institutions, suggesting the university struggles to add meaningful economic value beyond what students might achieve elsewhere.
The university's program portfolio centers on business administration, which graduates 79 students annually with median earnings around $35,701 ten years out. Research methodology and quantitative methods represents another significant program with 34 graduates earning about $28,381, while interdisciplinary studies shows somewhat stronger outcomes at $37,424 for its 23 graduates. These earnings levels reflect the regional nature of the institution and the types of careers most graduates pursue.
While 77 graduates do achieve earnings above $75,000, representing a small fraction of the total cohort, most Rogers State alumni find themselves in lower-paying positions compared with graduates from other public universities. The university's location in Oklahoma and focus on regional workforce needs may limit access to higher-paying career tracks that drive stronger earnings at other institutions.
Rogers State University delivers genuine affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families throughout Oklahoma and beyond. Low-income students pay approximately $11,564 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net prices around $13,848 per year. Even higher-income students face manageable costs at roughly $19,633 annually, keeping the university within reach for most families regardless of financial circumstances.
Debt levels remain reasonable relative to the modest earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with about $20,500 in federal student loan debt, and families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $11,249. While these amounts are not insignificant given the university's earnings profile, they represent manageable obligations that most graduates can service without severe financial strain. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that borrowers generally meet their repayment obligations despite the modest earnings levels.
The combination of low net prices and reasonable debt loads makes Rogers State one of the more financially accessible options in Oklahoma's public university system. For families prioritizing cost control and debt minimization over maximum earnings potential, the university offers a clear path to a bachelor's degree without overwhelming financial burden.
Rogers State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
