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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 and five years after graduation (2021-22 and 2017-18, 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 five years after graduation.

2023 Employment Outcomes Report (PDF, 1m)

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 and five years after graduation (2021-2022 and 2017-2018, respectively).

Employment Outcomes Dashboards

 

More than 93% of Oklahoma residents graduating from a public institution are employed in the state one year after graduation. Consistent with national trends, this report shows that median annual earnings increase as degree level advances. Of STEM undergraduates from our state system colleges and universities, more than 84% are working in the state one year after graduation, and nearly 69% five years after graduation. More than 61% of nonresident undergraduates remain and work in Oklahoma one year after graduation, and nearly 40% five years after graduation. Nearly 92% of teacher education graduates earning a bachelor's degree are employed in the state one year after graduation. Of engineering graduates, nearly 80% of bachelor's degree earners are working in the state one year after graduation. At all degree levels, nearly 95% of nursing graduates were employed in the state one year after graduation and more than 87% still remained five years after graduation, meeting a critical workforce need. Year after year, high rates of Oklahoma's Promise graduates are employed in the state, with more than 94% one year after graduation and more than 86% five years after graduation.