Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at East Central University

East Central University's liberal arts program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: it performs slightly above the national median ($37,389 vs. $36,340), but falls below average among Oklahoma schools, ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. That positioning matters because in-state students could access substantially higher earnings at nearby alternatives—OU-Norman graduates earn 22% more, and even directional competitors like Southeastern Oklahoma State deliver 4% better outcomes.

The $25,354 debt load is manageable with a 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio, coming in somewhat better than both national and state medians. However, the small sample size (fewer than 30 graduates tracked) means these figures could swing significantly year to year. For a regional university serving a 40% Pell-eligible population, the program does provide an accessible path to a four-year degree, but the earnings premium over Oklahoma's median appears limited.

If your child is set on East Central for non-academic reasons—proximity to home, specific campus culture, or athletics—this program won't bury them in debt. But if maximizing earnings is the priority and they have the academic profile for admission elsewhere, the gap between ECU's outcomes and top state programs is wide enough to justify exploring those options first, particularly Oklahoma State or OU-Norman.