Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,401
Est. from OK median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,000
Est. from OK median (3 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable political science programs in Oklahoma, a bachelor's degree from East Central University appears to position graduates near the state average, with estimated first-year earnings around $37,400 against roughly $23,000 in debt. That 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment—you're looking at debt equal to about seven months of gross income, which is reasonable if your child enters a field where political science degrees are valued. The challenge is that political science is notoriously versatile but not always lucrative right out of college, and these estimates track closely with what graduates earn at larger state schools like OU and UCO.

What's less certain is whether East Central's specific outcomes match these peer-based projections. The school serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (40%), which often correlates with strong support systems but can also mean fewer built-in professional networks. Political science graduates typically need graduate school, law school, or strategic internships to access higher-paying career tracks, and first-year earnings rarely tell the full story. If your child is considering this major, the financial picture looks workable compared to national norms, but success will likely depend heavily on what they do beyond the classroom—internships, networking, and clarity about career direction matter more here than the degree itself.

Where East Central University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (16 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
East Central UniversityAda$8,032$37,401*$23,000*
University of Central OklahomaEdmond$8,522$38,063*$38,115$29,000*0.76
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman$9,595$37,401*$63,478$23,000*0.61
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater$10,234$33,484*$21,107*0.63
National Median$35,627*$23,500*0.66
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At East Central University, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in OK. Actual outcomes may vary.