Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests manageable borrowing relative to expected income, though the specifics here warrant caution. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from national medians—outcomes for this particular program aren't publicly available due to small graduate cohorts—we're working with educated guesses rather than track records. Similar economics programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $52,000, while Oklahoma programs hover near that same mark, with University of Oklahoma graduates reporting virtually identical figures. The estimated $21,650 debt load sits slightly below both national and state medians for economics degrees.
The challenge for parents is uncertainty. Economics programs can vary dramatically in rigor, faculty connections, and employer recognition, yet we can't see whether Central Oklahoma's version delivers outcomes matching its peers or falls short. The school's 82% admission rate and modest test scores suggest it serves a different student population than flagship research universities, which sometimes correlates with weaker career network effects in fields like economics where internships and first-job placements matter enormously.
If your child has alternatives with actual reported outcomes—particularly OU's nearby program with confirmed $52,000 earnings—comparing the concrete against the estimated makes sense. Otherwise, you're betting that Central Oklahoma's economics graduates will mirror national patterns despite lacking evidence either way. The debt level won't crush future options, but you're investing with limited visibility into what this specific program actually produces.
Where University of Central Oklahoma Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (8 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,522 | $51,722* | — | $21,650* | — | |
| $9,595 | $52,212* | $77,023 | $19,500* | 0.37 | |
| National Median | — | $51,722* | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
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 University of Central Oklahoma, approximately 35% 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 national median of 351 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.