Analysis
Computer science programs in Oklahoma cluster tightly around $56,000 in first-year earnings, and Southern Nazarene appears positioned right in that middle band based on what similar programs produce statewide. The estimated $25,860 in debt sits slightly above Oklahoma's typical $20,000 for this degree but creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46βmeaning less than half a year's salary to repay. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, this is a school serving many families for whom keeping debt reasonable matters enormously.
The caveat: these figures come from peer programs across Oklahoma and nationally, not from Southern Nazarene's own graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about this specific school's track record. What we can see is that Oklahoma's computer science programs generally trail the national median of $61,000 by about $5,000βa gap that adds up over a career. Top programs in the state like University of Central Oklahoma push closer to $64,000, suggesting there may be stronger options for students willing to look around.
The practical question is whether Southern Nazarene offers somethingβfit, community, support systemsβthat justifies paying slightly higher debt for middle-of-pack estimated outcomes in a state where tech salaries run below national averages. The debt isn't alarming, but the lack of actual graduate data makes it harder to recommend confidently when comparable schools nearby have demonstrated stronger results.
Where Southern Nazarene University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29,600 | $55,741* | β | $25,860* | β | |
| $8,522 | $64,320* | $89,163 | $20,212* | 0.31 | |
| $10,234 | $61,514* | $83,663 | $23,759* | 0.39 | |
| $5,774 | $58,844* | β | $18,897* | 0.32 | |
| $7,200 | $55,922* | β | β* | β | |
| $8,295 | $55,560* | β | β* | β | |
| National Median | β | $61,322* | β | $25,000* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southern Nazarene University, approximately 45% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in OK. Actual outcomes may vary.