Analysis
In Oklahoma, criminal justice programs show a significant earnings spread—from $38,000 at some regional universities to over $53,000 at OU-Norman. Based on comparable programs in the state, Oklahoma Christian graduates likely start around $39,600, which places them in the middle of this range but well below what the state's flagship produces.
The estimated $27,000 in debt sits above Oklahoma's typical borrowing for this major ($21,500), though it remains close to the national median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68, graduates would dedicate roughly two-thirds of their first year's salary to debt—manageable if those early earnings hold steady, but criminal justice careers often require years of service before significant pay increases materialize. The profession's salary compression means that bachelor's holders don't always see dramatic income growth that would quickly shrink this debt burden.
What complicates the picture here is uncertainty: the actual outcomes for Oklahoma Christian's criminal justice graduates aren't publicly available due to small cohort sizes. The school's high admission rate and modest test scores suggest it serves a different student population than OU-Norman, which may affect career placement and starting salaries. If you're considering this program, direct conversations with the career services office about actual job placements—not just estimates—would be essential before committing to nearly $30,000 in loans.
Where Oklahoma Christian University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma
Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (17 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,900 | $39,609* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $9,595 | $53,003* | $54,438 | $27,156* | 0.51 | |
| $8,032 | $41,437* | $41,685 | $21,553* | 0.52 | |
| $7,513 | $39,668* | $44,016 | $23,050* | 0.58 | |
| $8,522 | $39,609* | $44,492 | $22,875* | 0.58 | |
| $7,392 | $38,064* | — | $17,880* | 0.47 | |
| National Median | — | $37,856* | — | $26,130* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates
Financial Examiners
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Customs Brokers
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Police Identification and Records Officers
Intelligence Analysts
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 Oklahoma Christian University, approximately 30% 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 7 similar programs in OK. Actual outcomes may vary.