Communication and Media Studies at Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts graduates start earning about $7,500 more than the typical Oklahoma communications major—a meaningful gap that puts this program at the 60th percentile statewide. While OU-Norman's program shows stronger outcomes, ORU significantly outperforms most other options in the state, including larger public universities like Northeastern State. The $27,000 debt load sits comfortably below both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should be able to handle.

The modest 5% earnings growth over four years means graduates plateau relatively quickly. However, this program's strength lies in its entry position: starting near $40,000 in a market where half of Oklahoma communications grads earn under $32,000 provides real financial breathing room. That first-year advantage matters more than incremental growth, especially when you're carrying below-average debt.

For an anxious parent, the calculus here is straightforward. Your child enters the workforce earning more than most communications majors in Oklahoma, with less debt than average. ORU won't match OU-Norman's outcomes, but it substantially outperforms the alternatives at similar or lower debt levels. If your student thrives in ORU's structured environment and plans to work in Oklahoma, this represents solid value—just recognize they'll need to advance through job changes rather than automatic salary progression.