Oklahoma State combines accessible admission standards with excellent mobility outcomes, ranking in the 92.9th percentile for economic advancement. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university serves diverse student populations while maintaining controlled costs and delivering solid post-graduation earnings across business, engineering, and agriculture programs.
With above average outcomes, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and moderate debt levels
With well above average performance, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With excellent performance, reflecting the university's ability to support economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top-tier mobility outcomes with accessible admission
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ranks #175 nationally, with composite performance in the 89.3rd percentile. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this large public research university maintains moderately selective admission with a 70.9% acceptance rate while delivering top-tier mobility outcomes.
Oklahoma State enrolls 26.0% Pell-eligible students and 28.6% first-generation students, reflecting strong accessibility for diverse backgrounds. Graduates earn $57,413 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 64th percentile for long-term earnings.
The university demonstrates excellent mobility performance at the 92.9th percentile, indicating strong economic advancement for students from varied economic backgrounds. This combination of accessible admission, diverse enrollment, and strong post-graduation outcomes positions Oklahoma State as an Opportunity Builder institution, where broad access combines with meaningful economic mobility for graduates across multiple fields of study.
Oklahoma State delivers strong return on investment through controlled costs and solid earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $57,413 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 64th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $37,402 at the 25th percentile to $84,788 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across the university's program portfolio. While graduates earn $8,166 below expectations relative to similar students, this reflects the institution's commitment to accessibility rather than selectivity-driven outcomes.
Students seeking strong post-graduation mobility outcomes at an accessible public research university. Well-suited for first-generation (28.6%) and Pell-eligible students (26.0%) who want strong earnings potential across business, engineering, and agriculture programs without the debt burdens typical of selective institutions.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Oklahoma State University-Main Campus hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus/analysis.
Oklahoma State admits approximately 70.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Oklahoma State in the Moderately Selective category, making it more accessible than highly selective institutions while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Oklahoma State is somewhat more selective than typical four-year institutions in its comparison group. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic credentials have good prospects for admission, though the university does evaluate applications holistically.
Unlike highly competitive universities where even exceptional students face uncertainty, Oklahoma State's admission rate suggests that well-prepared students can reasonably expect admission if they meet basic academic requirements. For students building college lists, Oklahoma State represents a realistic option that balances accessibility with academic quality.
The university's moderately selective admission standards align with its mission to serve diverse student populations while maintaining educational rigor. Prospective students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness and fit with the university's programs rather than treating admission as a reach outcome.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Oklahoma State's published cost of attendance reaches $25,915 per year, including $25,754 in out-of-state tuition, $11,300 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies. In-state students pay $10,234 in tuition, significantly reducing their total cost burden.
However, the average student pays just $16,378 after financial aid, representing savings of $9,537 from the sticker price. This net price falls $788 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive affordability relative to similar public research universities.
The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for students across income levels, with aid targeting concentrated toward lower-income families. Oklahoma State's cost structure reflects typical public university pricing, with substantial differences between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
The average savings of nearly $10,000 demonstrates meaningful financial aid impact, making the institution more accessible than sticker prices suggest. Students and families should focus on net price rather than published costs when evaluating affordability, as actual costs vary significantly based on financial circumstances and aid eligibility.
Oklahoma State graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $46,855 six years after enrollment to $53,121 at eight years and $57,413 at ten years, representing 22.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from a ten-year cohort of 5,338 graduates, providing strong confidence in the reported figures. Earnings span from $37,402 at the 25th percentile to $84,788 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.3:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Low-income graduates earn $50,700, ranking in the top 25% nationally, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds. Approximately 23.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The university's graduates earn $3,130 less than the peer median of $60,543, but this gap reflects the institution's broader accessibility mission rather than outcome quality concerns.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Massachusetts-Amherst Similar quality tier (#174 ranked) | MA | 58% | $71,631 | #174 | Compare |
University Of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Similar quality tier (#176 ranked) | CO | 78% | $64,270 | #176 | Compare |
Oregon State University Similar quality tier (#178 ranked) | OR | 79% | $64,010 | #178 | Compare |
East Carolina University Similar quality tier (#180 ranked) | NC | 90% | $55,146 | #180 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-Columbia Similar quality tier (#181 ranked) | MO | 77% | $63,403 | #181 | Compare |
Chemical Engineering, Other.
62 graduates
Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician.
50 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
254 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
130 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
44 graduates
Oklahoma State offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. Mechanical Engineering ranks #41 nationally and #1 in Oklahoma, producing 254 graduates with median earnings of $85,403 and a strong value score of 82.1.
Digital Marketing ranks #103 nationally and #2 in Oklahoma, graduating 276 students with median earnings of $56,827. General Studies ranks #27 nationally and #1 in Oklahoma, with 265 graduates earning $52,247.
Business Administration and Management graduates 382 students annually, making it the university's largest program, with median earnings of $54,967. Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Oklahoma, graduating 104 students with median earnings of $55,230 and an exceptional value score of 95.2.
Agricultural Animal Breeding ranks #19 nationally, reflecting the university's agricultural strengths, graduating 217 students with median earnings of $43,388.
