Cameron University's greatest strength lies in making higher education accessible and affordable for students across income levels, particularly first-generation and Pell-eligible students in southwestern Oklahoma.
While earnings outcomes are more modest than at other institutions, the university provides a crucial pathway to higher education with manageable debt and transparent pricing.
Cameron University ranks among the more affordable public universities in Oklahoma, though it faces challenges in delivering strong long-term earnings outcomes for graduates. Located in Lawton, this medium-sized regional university serves a student body where 41% receive Pell Grants and nearly 47% are first-generation college students, reflecting its important role in providing access to higher education for underserved populations in southwestern Oklahoma.
The university's strongest asset is affordability, with low-income students paying just $8,933 annually and middle-income families seeing net prices around $11,461. However, graduates earn a median of $40,118 ten years after enrollment, which places Cameron in the bottom quartile nationally for earnings outcomes. This creates a trade-off that families should carefully consider: excellent affordability but more modest financial returns compared to other public institutions.
As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in terms of mobility outcomes, Cameron provides broad access but struggles to convert that access into strong upward economic mobility. The university serves an important mission in southwestern Oklahoma by keeping higher education accessible and affordable, though students should have realistic expectations about post-graduation earning potential and consider how their chosen field of study might influence their individual outcomes.
Cameron University's program portfolio reflects its regional mission, with the strongest outcomes concentrated in a few key areas. Business Administration and Management serves as the university's largest program with 54 graduates earning median salaries of $34,704, providing a solid foundation for local and regional career opportunities. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, with 45 graduates, produces similar earnings around $35,416 and connects to growing health and wellness sectors in Oklahoma.
The standout program is General Studies, which despite having only 28 graduates, achieves significantly higher median earnings of $58,673. This suggests that students who use the General Studies pathway strategically—perhaps to prepare for specific career tracks or graduate school—can achieve stronger financial outcomes. The program may serve students who are building interdisciplinary skills or preparing for fields that value broad-based knowledge.
Overall, Cameron's program mix emphasizes practical, career-oriented fields that serve the southwestern Oklahoma region. While earnings are generally modest compared to more specialized or technical programs at other institutions, the programs provide accessible pathways into stable employment. Students considering Cameron should research specific career outcomes in their field of interest and consider how regional job market conditions might affect their post-graduation opportunities.
Cameron University graduates earn a median of $40,118 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the bottom 15% nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. This represents earnings that are roughly $4,400 below what similar students achieve at comparable institutions, indicating that graduates may face some challenges in the job market relative to peers elsewhere. The modest earnings reflect both the regional job market in southwestern Oklahoma and the university's program mix, which tends toward fields with more moderate salary expectations.
Program choice significantly influences outcomes at Cameron. General Studies graduates, though a smaller cohort of 28 students, achieve the highest median earnings at $58,673, demonstrating that some pathways can lead to stronger financial results. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program with 54 graduates, produces median earnings of $34,704, while Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates earn around $35,416. These figures represent early-career earnings and suggest that students in more specialized or professional programs may see better long-term prospects.
The university's location in Lawton, where cost of living is below national averages, means that graduate earnings stretch somewhat further than they might in higher-cost regions. However, the overall earnings picture suggests that students should carefully consider their field of study and post-graduation plans, as the financial returns may be more modest than at other public universities, particularly for those seeking to enter high-mobility career tracks.
Cameron University excels in affordability, making higher education accessible across income levels. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $8,933 annually, well below the national average for public universities, while middle-income families see costs around $11,461 per year. Even high-income families pay a relatively modest $16,236 annually, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education affordable for Oklahoma families regardless of economic background.
The university's approach to financial aid helps keep borrowing manageable for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $21,500 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable level given current higher education costs. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $10,999, indicating that many families can cover a substantial portion of costs through grants, work-study, and personal contributions rather than relying heavily on parent loans.
What makes Cameron particularly sustainable from a debt perspective is the predictable, transparent pricing structure that allows families to plan effectively over four years. The combination of low sticker prices, reasonable aid packages, and modest borrowing levels means that most students can complete their degrees without taking on excessive debt, even if their post-graduation earnings are more modest than at higher-cost institutions.
Cameron University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
