Computer and Information Sciences at East Central University

The small sample size here is crucial—with fewer than 30 graduates, these numbers could swing dramatically with just a handful of different outcomes. That caveat matters because what we're seeing is a computer science program that lags significantly: starting earnings of $45,779 trail both Oklahoma's median ($55,741) and the national median ($61,322) by $10,000-$15,000. That's the difference between confidently covering monthly expenses and living paycheck to paycheck in your first tech job.

The debt picture looks manageable at $20,200—actually below both state and national medians—but the real concern is how far this program trails alternatives in Oklahoma. Every other state school in the data pays more, with University of Central Oklahoma grads earning $18,500 more annually. Over a decade, that's a six-figure difference. For a field where starting salaries typically range from comfortable to excellent, East Central's 14th percentile national ranking suggests something isn't connecting graduates to the stronger job markets where computer science grads usually thrive.

If your child is already committed to staying in Ada or has specific reasons to attend East Central, the debt load won't be crushing. But for a computer science degree—where employer recruitment, internship networks, and regional job markets matter enormously—the earnings gap suggests this program isn't opening the same doors as Oklahoma State or UCO. Given the small sample, verify recent graduate outcomes directly with the department before deciding.