Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Something unusual is happening with this program's earnings trajectory. Fresh graduates earn an impressive $57,445—more than double the state median and placing them in the 95th percentile among Oklahoma liberal arts programs. But by year four, those earnings drop sharply to $37,079. This dramatic reversal suggests graduates may be taking temporary high-paying jobs (perhaps in oil and gas, common in the Panhandle region) before transitioning to different career paths or leaving the area.

Despite the earnings decline, the program still outperforms most alternatives. Even at the four-year mark, graduates earn $10,000 more than peers from Oklahoma City Community College, the state's second-highest earner for this degree. The debt load of $17,291 is reasonable—higher than the state median but still manageable given the strong initial earnings. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, this access point serves a meaningful population.

The critical caveat: these numbers come from a very small sample, so they may not represent what future students will experience. If your child is considering this program, understand they're likely facing a volatile earnings path rather than stable growth. The strong start provides breathing room for debt repayment, but don't bank on those first-year numbers lasting. For students planning to stay in the region and comfortable with earnings uncertainty, this remains one of Oklahoma's better options for an associate's in liberal arts.