Human Services at East Central University

East Central University's Human Services program lands right at Oklahoma's median for earnings, but that's cold comfort when the state median itself sits in the bottom 5% nationally. At $32,083 one year out, graduates here earn roughly $4,500 less than the national average for human services majors—a significant gap in a field that already skews toward lower pay. The $28,000 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio, but you're still financing nearly a full year's salary for wages that will make building savings difficult.

The state context matters here: with only two schools offering this bachelor's degree in Oklahoma, ECU represents half the market, and its outcomes mirror the state median exactly. That doesn't make this a standout program—it makes Oklahoma a challenging place to pursue human services at the bachelor's level. The 40% Pell grant rate suggests ECU serves many students without family financial safety nets, making the modest starting salary even more consequential.

For families considering this path, understand you're choosing a helping profession that demands financial sacrifice. If your child is committed to human services work and staying in Oklahoma, ECU offers a typical in-state outcome. But if graduate education or relocation are possibilities, that initial $32,000 salary will make either option substantially harder to pursue.