Psychology at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

University of Oklahoma's psychology program demonstrates something unusual in this field: strong earnings growth that eventually lifts graduates well above typical outcomes. While the $32,657 starting salary is only slightly above national norms, four years later graduates earn $52,000—putting them comfortably ahead of the $31,482 national median for psychology majors. This 59% earnings jump suggests OU grads find pathways into higher-paying roles, whether through career advancement, graduate degrees, or pivoting into better-compensated fields.

Within Oklahoma, this program sits right at the state median for both earnings and debt, ranking in the 60th percentile. Cameron University leads state programs with starting salaries around $36,500, but OU's trajectory suggests it may catch up as graduates progress. The $21,700 debt load is manageable—representing about eight months of first-year earnings—though it's higher than ideal compared to other psychology programs nationally.

For parents evaluating this program, the key question is whether their student will stick it out through that initial lower-earning period. Psychology degrees often require additional credentials or strategic career moves to reach solid earnings. OU appears to help facilitate that transition, but year one will likely mean tight budgets or parental support. If your student is willing to be strategic about their post-graduation path, the four-year data suggests OU provides a reasonable foundation.