Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts University's nursing program starts strong—first-year graduates earn $71,417, placing them just below the Oklahoma median—but then something unusual happens. By year four, earnings drop to $65,064, a 9% decline that runs counter to most healthcare careers. This pattern suggests graduates may be shifting into different roles, leaving the workforce temporarily, or working reduced hours as they pursue further education or family commitments.

The debt burden of $29,500 is reasonable and slightly higher than both state and national medians, but the real concern is where this program ranks competitively. At the 40th percentile among Oklahoma's 19 nursing programs, graduates earn roughly $6,300 less annually than peers from Oklahoma Panhandle State or Northeastern State, a gap that compounds over a career. Nationally, the program sits at the 31st percentile, meaning seven in ten similar programs produce higher-earning graduates.

For a family considering this investment, the question becomes whether ORU's specific environment and mission justify accepting below-median outcomes in a high-demand field. The debt isn't overwhelming, but your child would likely earn more as a new grad from several public alternatives in Oklahoma—and those earnings advantages appear to grow rather than shrink over time. If the university's faith-based community matters significantly to your family, that could tip the scales, but purely as a financial decision, stronger options exist within the state.