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Statewide Employment Outcomes

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The employment outcomes data is generated through a records match between the State Regents, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) and the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC). This data is used to determine the percentage of state system graduates who remain and are employed in the state one year, five years and 10 years after graduation (2023-24, 2019-20 and 2014-15, respectively).

Graduate records are divided into two groups: (1) Oklahoma residents and (2) non-Oklahoma residents. Graduates are identified as Oklahoma residents if Oklahoma is the original state of residence when entering an Oklahoma higher education institution. If the original state of residence at enrollment is anything other than Oklahoma, the graduate is considered a non-Oklahoma resident.

The OESC database does not reflect the self-employed, employees of the federal government (e.g., military and postal service) and graduates working outside of Oklahoma. Additionally, the data does not include graduates who may have transitioned to graduate school, another positive outcome post-graduation. The OTC database includes couples filing joint returns; therefore, employment of the degree recipient is assumed, but may be that of a spouse.

The majority of Oklahoma’s state system graduates remain in the state, contributing to the state’s economy and opportunities for growth, even 10 years after graduation.

2025 Employment Outcomes Report (PDF, 2.5m)

Oklahomans Who Remain and Work in OK One Year After Graduation From a Public College or University
   

Employment Outcomes

Employment outcomes dashboards provide data on the percentage of state system graduates who remain and are employed in the state one year, five years and 10 years after graduation (2023-24, 2019-20 and 2014-15, respectively).

Employment Outcomes Dashboards

 

87% of Oklahoma resident graduates remain in the state workforce: Within one year of graduation, 87% of Oklahoma resident graduates are employed in Oklahoma, strengthening the state’s workforce. Oklahoma retains its STEM talent: Over 83% of Oklahoma resident STEM graduates work in Oklahoma one year after graduation, and more than 75% remain five years later. Engineering talent remains in Oklahoma: Nearly 72% of undergraduate engineering graduates are employed in Oklahoma one year after graduation. Oklahoma’s Promise builds a lasting workforce impact: More than 88% of Oklahoma’s Promise undergraduate graduates work in Oklahoma within a year, and more than 83% remain in the state five years later. Higher education yields higher lifetime earnings: Consistent with national trends and compared with the median earnings of an Oklahoma high school graduate, median earnings for public higher education graduates are up to 120% higher one year after graduation and up to 282% higher 10 years after graduation, depending on degree level. Teacher education supports Oklahoma’s classrooms: Nearly 85% of teacher education graduates are employed in Oklahoma within a year. Nursing graduates fill critical workforce needs: 89% are working in Oklahoma within a year, and nearly 82% continue serving the state after five years. State system graduates power essential industries: 47.5% of public higher education graduates are employed in the health care and educational services industries.