Political Science and Government at Oral Roberts University

Oklahoma's political science programs cluster tightly around $37,000-$38,000 in first-year earnings, and based on comparable programs, Oral Roberts likely falls within this range. With estimated debt of $24,625, graduates would face monthly loan payments of roughly $275—manageable but tight on a $37,401 starting salary that leaves about $2,500 monthly after taxes.

The broader challenge here isn't unique to Oral Roberts: political science bachelor's degrees rarely lead to high-paying entry-level work. The national median sits at just $35,627, meaning even programs performing well by national standards still produce modest early-career incomes. Success in this field typically requires either graduate school (law, public policy, international relations) or grinding through lower-paid positions to build connections and experience. The debt load matters more in fields like this where the career runway is longer.

For families considering this program, the critical question is whether your student has specific career plans beyond "interested in politics." If they're serious about law school or already have internship connections, the estimated debt burden here is reasonable. If political science is more of a default liberal arts choice, understand that similar earnings come from programs with clearer career paths and potentially lower debt at Oklahoma's public universities.