Business/Managerial Economics at Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Is a business economics degree at a smaller Oklahoma school worth $24,000 in debt? Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates appear to start around $53,000—significantly above Oklahoma's typical $47,936 for this major. That $24,000 debt load translates to a 0.45 ratio, meaning roughly $450 in monthly payments on a standard 10-year plan against first-year earnings. While this sits slightly above the national debt benchmark of $22,250, the earnings estimate keeps pace with national medians rather than falling to state averages.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With small graduate cohorts forcing the DOE to suppress actual outcomes, we're relying on peer program data rather than Oklahoma Wesleyan's track record. The school serves a substantial population of lower-income students (39% on Pell grants), and outcomes at similar institutions can vary widely based on internship networks, employer connections, and regional job markets. Bartlesville's economy—historically tied to energy and manufacturing—may offer different opportunities than metro areas like Oklahoma City or Tulsa where larger programs like OU Norman operate.

Your child would be betting that Oklahoma Wesleyan's program performs closer to national standards than state averages. That's plausible given the estimated figures, but without verified outcomes, you're accepting more risk than at programs with transparent data. The debt itself is manageable if those earnings materialize, but demand to see placement rates and employer partnerships before committing.