Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

University of Oklahoma's liberal arts program produces graduates earning $45,726 in their first year—substantially above both the national median ($36,340) and Oklahoma's median ($37,786) for this field. Ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally is impressive for a degree often criticized for weak earning potential. However, the 60th percentile ranking within Oklahoma reveals an interesting wrinkle: this program performs exceptionally well compared to liberal arts programs across the country, but sits middle-of-the-pack among Oklahoma schools, trailing Cameron University's $43,865 median by nearly $2,000.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $27,000—exactly matching the national median—with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 that suggests graduates can manage repayment without undue strain. Earnings growth of 8% over four years to $49,145 shows modest but steady progression, though this isn't the dramatic salary acceleration you'd see in technical fields.

For families weighing OU's liberal arts program, the value proposition comes down to expectations. Your child will likely out-earn most liberal arts graduates nationwide and start with manageable debt. But if staying in Oklahoma is the plan, recognize that several state schools deliver comparable outcomes at potentially lower total cost. This works best for students who value OU's flagship status and broader opportunities while understanding they're not choosing a high-earning field—they're choosing the stronger version of a modest-earning one.