Computer and Information Sciences at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

A first-year salary of $55,922 lands this program squarely in the middle of Oklahoma's computer science field—outperforming half the state's programs but trailing the top earners by roughly $10,000. Graduates here earn about $5,500 less than the national median for computer science degrees, though that gap matters less in Oklahoma's lower cost-of-living market. The estimated debt load of roughly $20,000 creates a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about four months of their first year's salary.

The real question is whether this represents a ceiling or a starting point. Computer science careers typically see strong salary growth, and breaking into the field with minimal debt can matter more than a few thousand dollars in year-one earnings. Similar programs in Oklahoma suggest this debt estimate is reasonable for in-state students at a regional public university. That said, if your student can access Oklahoma State's main campus program—which shows $5,600 higher starting earnings for likely comparable debt—the math shifts meaningfully over a career.

For an in-state student choosing between affordability and opportunity, Southeastern delivers a working entry point to tech careers without crushing debt. Out-of-state students should compare total costs carefully against their home state options, since the earnings here don't command a premium that would justify higher tuition.