Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Oklahoma State's nursing program graduates earn $74,056 in their first year—solidly middle-of-the-pack nationally but above the state median of $71,428. That 60th percentile ranking among Oklahoma's 19 nursing programs means your child would likely out-earn graduates from most in-state alternatives, though top performers like Northeastern State and Oklahoma Panhandle State show there's room for $5,000-7,000 more in first-year earnings. The $29,400 in median debt sits slightly above both state and national benchmarks, but the 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable—graduates would owe about 40% of their first year's salary.

The real caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 recent graduates reported data, making these numbers less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. That said, the earnings and debt figures align reasonably well with what you'd expect from a flagship state university nursing program. For Oklahoma families, this represents a decent middle-ground option—not the highest-earning program in the state, but above average with a well-regarded university name behind it. If your child has strong academics and wants to maximize earning potential, consider applying to the higher-performing Oklahoma programs as well. If OSU is already their top choice for campus fit or other programs, the nursing outcomes won't derail their career launch.