Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Langston University

Langston University's Liberal Arts program carries one of the lowest debt loads you'll find—just $31,000, well below both Oklahoma's $26,594 median and the national average. For families worried about borrowing, that's meaningful protection. However, the first-year earnings of $35,510 trail other Oklahoma liberal arts programs by a significant margin, landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. Graduates from OU-Norman and several other state schools are earning $8,000-$10,000 more right out of the gate.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87 sits in reasonable territory—not alarming, but not particularly strong either. What's concerning is that this program underperforms the state median by about $2,300 despite serving a student body where 68% receive Pell grants, suggesting these graduates need every dollar they can earn. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year, but the pattern of below-average earnings is worth noting.

For families prioritizing affordability over earnings potential, the low debt burden offers real value. But if your student has options at Oklahoma's flagship universities or even mid-tier state schools, those programs are delivering measurably better salary outcomes that will likely compound over a career. The financial cushion from lower debt may not offset the earnings gap over time.