Analysis
A 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable financial positioning for a Bachelor's in Education, even when those figures come from comparable programs rather than Oral Roberts' specific outcomes. Based on national medians for education degrees, first-year earnings around $38,660 paired with $27,000 in debt means graduates would dedicate roughly 70% of one year's salary to eliminating their loans—better than many fields where that ratio exceeds 1.0 or higher.
Teaching careers follow predictable salary schedules, which offers some reassurance when working with estimated data. Oklahoma teacher salaries are publicly documented and tend to align closely with these national education degree benchmarks. The real question becomes whether ORU's specific approach—faith-integrated teacher preparation at a school with near-universal admission—delivers value beyond what state universities offer. With 34% of students on Pell grants, the school serves economically diverse families, though private school tuition makes cost comparison critical.
For parents evaluating this program, request ORU's teacher certification pass rates and job placement specifics, since those outcomes matter more than first-year earnings estimates in education. If your child is committed to Christian education settings where ORU's training may offer networking advantages, the debt load appears workable on a teacher's salary. For those planning public school careers, state universities with lower tuition and actual reported outcomes might provide clearer value.
Where Oral Roberts University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Education bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $34,100 | $38,660* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $8,886 | $68,730* | — | $26,556* | 0.39 | |
| $12,186 | $60,288* | — | —* | — | |
| $11,728 | $57,410* | — | $13,250* | 0.23 | |
| $19,568 | $56,397* | $40,429 | —* | — | |
| $44,850 | $55,579* | $54,660 | $27,000* | 0.49 | |
| National Median | — | $38,660* | — | $26,522* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with education graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Oral Roberts University, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 66 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.