Analysis
Oklahoma City University's sociology program carries an estimated $26,000 in debt—slightly above both the national and state medians for this degree—while peer programs in Oklahoma suggest first-year earnings around $35,917. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 isn't alarming by itself, but it's worth noting that sociology bachelor's degrees typically produce modest starting salaries nationwide, with Oklahoma's median sitting just above the national benchmark of $34,102.
The challenge here is that these figures come from comparable programs rather than OCU's actual graduate outcomes, making it harder to assess whether this specific program delivers advantages that justify its slightly higher debt load. Looking at reported data from other Oklahoma schools, sociology grads' earnings cluster tightly between $33,000 and $38,000, suggesting limited variation in outcomes across institutions. That raises questions about whether a private university education—which typically costs more than public alternatives—translates into meaningfully better career positioning in this field.
For families considering this program, the key question is whether OCU offers distinctive opportunities—research connections, graduate school placement support, or career networks—that offset the additional borrowing. Without concrete outcome data for this specific program, you're essentially betting that OCU's version of this degree performs at least as well as similar programs statewide while carrying somewhat higher debt.
Where Oklahoma City University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma
Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33,586 | $35,917* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $8,522 | $37,727* | $44,557 | $28,000* | 0.74 | |
| $9,595 | $35,917* | $41,962 | $24,172* | 0.67 | |
| $10,234 | $33,365* | $39,574 | $24,751* | 0.74 | |
| National Median | — | $34,102* | — | $25,000* | 0.73 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates
Sociologists
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
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 City University, approximately 23% 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.