Business Administration, Management and Operations at Southern Nazarene University

Southern Nazarene's business graduates start strong—earning $55,107 their first year out, which beats 80% of Oklahoma business programs and ranks in the top fifth nationally. That's $11,000 more than the typical Oklahoma business grad and nearly $10,000 above the national median. With debt around $26,000, new graduates face manageable monthly payments relative to those initial earnings. For a private Christian university serving a predominantly middle-class student body (45% receive Pell grants), these outcomes represent solid placement into Oklahoma's business community.

The challenge is what happens next: earnings essentially flatline rather than grow, dipping slightly to $54,669 by year four. This pattern could reflect graduates landing in roles with limited advancement potential, or simply staying in Oklahoma's lower-cost-of-living economy where salaries plateau earlier. It's worth noting that even with stagnant growth, these graduates are still out-earning most Oklahoma business majors throughout their early careers.

The math works if your student plans to stay in Oklahoma and values the university's faith-based environment. The debt burden is reasonable, initial earnings are genuinely competitive, and graduates clearly find decent-paying jobs. Just understand that rapid salary growth isn't part of this program's track record—what you earn at graduation is roughly what you'll earn four years later.