University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma – Chickasha, Oklahoma (Return On Investment: -$65,500)
This campus has an amusing yet unique origin story: a hundred years ago, it used to be the Oklahoma College for Women, and there was a judge who sent an alleged societal misfit there because they thought it was a reform school! Today, buildings labeled as state historic sites fill the campus. The school also has stellar academics that routinely rank first statewide and is known for yearly music festivals. However, it is not known for having a good return on investment for graduates. Despite spending $99,700 on out of state tuition, graduates should expect a paltry -$65,500 as return for their investment.
University of Montevallo – Montevallo, Alabama (Return On Investment: -$64,100)
This liberal arts public school in Alabama has the distinction of ranking first on the U.S. News & World Report‘s list of Alabama public universities offering a masters program. The scenic campus is filled with pre-Civil War buildings and is well known for its yearly Life Raft Debate, where professors explain why their skill set deserves to help people survive a nuclear winter. However, behind the scenes of a fine education and all that tradition, a degree from the University of Montevallo in the long run could have some drawbacks. An out of state student must pay roughly $143,000 for college tuition, but the average graduate will get a return of -$64,100.