Criminology at Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Estimating from national trends, a criminology bachelor's here would cost about $26,000 in debt for starting earnings around $37,500—figures that track closely with the national median for this field. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 suggests a manageable situation where graduates could reasonably service their loans, though it's worth noting that criminology programs nationally show fairly compressed earnings, with even top performers hitting only around $40,500 in their first year.

The challenge with small private schools like Oklahoma Wesleyan is that without actual outcome data, you're essentially betting on whether this specific program performs like the typical criminology degree elsewhere. The admission rate of 77% and the fact that 39% of students receive Pell grants suggest the school serves a broad range of students, but you're left guessing whether the career services, alumni network, and local law enforcement connections justify private school tuition over in-state alternatives.

For a field where entry-level positions in corrections, probation, and police work follow fairly standardized pay scales regardless of where you earned your degree, the key question becomes whether Oklahoma Wesleyan offers something tangible beyond the credential itself. If your child thrives in smaller settings and values the school's particular environment, the estimated debt burden isn't prohibitive. But if the choice is purely about career preparation in criminal justice, peer programs suggest you'd get similar outcomes at lower cost elsewhere.