Human Development, Family Studies, at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Southeastern Oklahoma State delivers one clear win for Human Development graduates: relatively low debt at $18,000, well below both the state median ($23,858) and national median ($25,000). This helps offset first-year earnings of $32,997, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio of 0.55. Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends.

The bigger concern is earning power. Among Oklahoma's nine programs in this field, Southeastern graduates rank in just the 40th percentile, earning roughly $5,000 less annually than the state median. The gap widens when compared to top in-state alternatives—Oklahoma State and Southern Nazarene graduates start around $41,000. Over a career, that $8,000 annual difference compounds significantly. The program also underperforms nationally, though less dramatically.

For families prioritizing affordability and keeping debt minimal, Southeastern makes sense—especially if your student plans to stay in Oklahoma where living costs are lower. But if career earnings matter more, the stronger programs at Oklahoma State or University of Central Oklahoma are worth the likely modest increase in debt. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these numbers, so they're a fair basis for comparison shopping within the state.