Of Oklahomans who graduate from a state system college or university, nearly 92 percent remain and work in the state one year after graduation, according to the 2024 Employment Outcomes Report from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
“Graduates from our state system institutions learn here and earn here,” said Board Chair Courtney Warmington. “As this report clearly shows, the state’s investment in our colleges and universities is absolutely worthwhile. Retaining our graduates strengthens Oklahoma’s economy and enhances the productivity and skill level of our workforce.”
Employment outcome rates in the report are based on data matched between the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, and the Oklahoma Tax Commission to determine the percentage of graduates who remain and are employed in Oklahoma one and five years after graduation.
“Once again, data show that most of our resident graduates, and more than half of our nonresident graduates, choose to stay and work in Oklahoma,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage. “Five years later, they are still contributing in our communities and working in critical fields like healthcare, education, engineering, and business.”
Key findings include:
Five years after graduation, nearly 84 percent of Oklahomans who graduate from a state system college or university remain and work in the state.
Of STEM graduates, nearly 89 percent of resident undergraduates remain and work in Oklahoma one year after graduation, and more than 78 percent still live and work here five years after earning a STEM degree.
Among graduates in fields identified as critical to economic growth, nearly 92 percent of resident undergraduates remain and work in Oklahoma one year after graduation, and almost 84 percent remain and work in the state five years later.
More than 72 percent of engineering graduates, both resident and nonresident, are working in the state one year after earning a bachelor’s degree.
Over 87 percent of teacher education graduates are employed in Oklahoma one year after graduation.
More than 94 percent of nursing graduates at all degree levels are employed in the state one year after graduation, and over 86 percent remain five years later.
Nearly 93 percent of Oklahoma’s Promise recipients remain and work in Oklahoma one year after graduation, and almost 85 percent are still living and working in the state after five years.
The report confirms a strong link between degree level and earnings, showing that graduates of Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities earn higher wages with higher degrees and five years of experience.
The full 2024 Employment Outcomes Report is available through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.