Business Administration, Management and Operations at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

A $35,000 starting salary places this program in the bottom 5% nationally for business degrees—a significant gap that warrants careful consideration. While the estimated debt of $23,000 from peer Oklahoma programs creates a manageable 0.66 ratio, this analysis assumes typical borrowing patterns hold true at Southeastern. The real concern isn't whether graduates can handle their loan payments; it's whether they're getting competitive preparation for the job market.

Business degrees at other Oklahoma schools tell a different story. The University of Oklahoma produces graduates earning $61,000 their first year, while even University of Central Oklahoma—the median for the state—reaches $46,000. That $11,000 gap between Southeastern and the state median compounds year after year in career earnings, retirement savings, and financial flexibility. Similar programs across Oklahoma suggest debt around $25,000, meaning the financial burden likely doesn't vary much between schools, but the earnings outcomes clearly do.

For a parent weighing options, the path forward depends on total cost and alternatives. If your child can attend Southeastern significantly cheaper than state flagships (through scholarships, living at home, or other factors), the lower debt could offset weaker earnings. But if you're borrowing comparable amounts either way, the earnings data suggests looking at programs where graduates start closer to—or above—that $44,000 state median. The 80% admission rate means your child likely has options worth exploring before committing here.