Median Earnings (1yr)
$50,182
21st percentile
Est. Median Debt
$22,394
Est. from national median (13 programs)

Analysis

The numbers suggest a practical but unexceptional path into the insurance industry. First-year earnings of $50,182 place this program below the national median of $55,819 for insurance bachelor's degrees—in fact, it ranks at just the 21st percentile nationally. The estimated debt of $22,394 (based on the national median for similar programs at this institution type) produces a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. That's a workable number that shouldn't create overwhelming financial pressure.

The earnings gap matters because insurance is one of those fields where entry-level compensation can vary significantly by employer and location. National peer programs suggest graduates typically earn around $56,000, with top-quartile programs reaching $63,600. UCO's outcomes land considerably short of these benchmarks, which could reflect the local Oklahoma market, the program's network connections, or the types of insurance roles graduates secure. Since this is the only insurance bachelor's program with available data in Oklahoma, there's no direct state comparison to help clarify whether this is a regional ceiling or a school-specific issue.

For a student certain about pursuing insurance, this program offers reasonable debt exposure with immediate employment in a stable field. But the below-average earnings trajectory means your child would be starting behind peers from stronger programs—a gap that matters over a career spanning decades.

Where University of Central Oklahoma Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all insurance bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Central Oklahoma graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Insurance bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Central OklahomaEdmond$8,522$50,182$22,394*
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison$11,205$78,796$96,327$20,500*0.26
St. John's University-New YorkQueens$50,110$70,752$85,642$24,125*0.34
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia$51,340$66,523$78,262$23,016*0.35
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia$22,082$66,080$78,623$26,000*0.39
University of GeorgiaAthens$11,180$64,131$76,315$22,394*0.35
National Median$55,819$22,728*0.41
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with insurance graduates

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists

Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.

$77,020/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Sales Agents

Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

$60,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land.

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.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.