Langston University stands out for making college accessible to students who need it most, with net prices that rank among the most affordable nationally for low-income families.
The university serves as an important access point for Pell-eligible and first-generation students seeking degree pathways in Oklahoma.
Langston University serves as an accessible entry point into higher education, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Oklahoma. As a small public historically black university, Langston enrolls a high proportion of students who need financial support—about 68% receive Pell Grants and 36% are first-generation college students. The university maintains an open-access philosophy that prioritizes opportunity over selectivity.
While Langston's long-term earnings outcomes are modest compared to other public institutions, with graduates earning a median of $33,261 ten years after enrollment, the university serves an important role in providing educational access to students who might not otherwise attend college. Net prices remain quite affordable, especially for low-income families who pay around $10,626 annually.
The university's mission centers on serving students from diverse backgrounds and providing pathways to degree completion, even if the financial returns are more limited than at larger research universities. For many students, Langston represents an affordable stepping stone toward career advancement and personal growth in fields like nursing, business, and psychology.
Langston University's program portfolio reflects its mission of serving students in essential career fields, with nursing emerging as the clear standout for both enrollment and earnings potential. The Adult Health Nursing program graduates 57 students annually with median earnings of $58,796, making it both the largest and highest-earning program at the university. This strong performance reflects the consistent demand for healthcare professionals and the program's ability to prepare students for well-compensated roles in Oklahoma's medical sector.
Psychology and Business Administration round out the university's core offerings, with Psychology enrolling 33 students who earn about $32,391 and Business Administration graduating 31 students with median earnings around $35,274. These programs provide stable career foundations in fields like social services, education, and business support, though earnings remain more modest than in high-demand technical fields.
As a focused institution, Langston concentrates its resources on programs that serve community needs and provide accessible pathways to professional careers. The university's smaller scale allows for more personalized attention in key programs, particularly in nursing where graduates achieve earnings levels competitive with much larger institutions.
Graduates of Langston University see modest long-term earnings, with a median income of $33,261 ten years after enrollment. This places the university in the lower range nationally for graduate earnings, reflecting both the institution's focus on access over selectivity and the career paths typical of its program mix. The university's strongest financial outcomes come from its nursing program, where graduates earn significantly more than the institutional average.
Nursing stands out as Langston's highest-return program, with 57 graduates earning a median of $58,796 ten years out—nearly double the overall institutional median. Psychology, the largest program with 33 graduates, leads to more modest earnings around $32,391, while Business Administration graduates earn about $35,274. These programs reflect the university's focus on service-oriented fields that provide stable employment, even if starting salaries are more moderate than in high-demand STEM fields.
The university's career outcomes align with its mission as an access-focused institution serving students who often enter college with fewer economic advantages. While absolute earnings levels are lower than at more selective institutions, Langston provides degree pathways in essential fields like healthcare, education, and business that offer meaningful career advancement for graduates.
Langston University offers strong affordability, particularly for students from low- and middle-income families. Low-income students pay a net price of about $10,626 annually, well below the national average for public institutions, while middle-income families see costs around $12,238 per year. Even higher-income families pay a relatively modest $16,660 annually, making Langston accessible across income levels.
The university's affordability extends to manageable debt levels for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $26,000 in federal student loan debt, and families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $13,486—both reasonable amounts given the institution's low sticker prices. The combination of affordable net prices and moderate borrowing helps ensure that students can complete their degrees without taking on excessive debt burdens.
What makes Langston particularly sustainable financially is how the low upfront costs help students avoid the debt loads common at more expensive institutions. While graduate earnings are modest, the relatively low debt-to-income ratios mean that most borrowers can manage their payments without significant financial strain, even in the early career years when salaries are still building.
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