Computer and Information Sciences at University of Tulsa

This computer science bachelor's degree carries an estimated $25,860 in debt—above the state median but right in line with national norms—while similar programs across Oklahoma suggest first-year earnings around $55,741. That debt load represents about 46% of first-year income, a manageable ratio that's less concerning than the program's competitive position within the state.

The University of Tulsa is a selective private institution (average SAT: 1325), yet peer programs in Oklahoma show a notable pattern: state schools like University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University report first-year earnings $6,000-$9,000 higher than what comparable Tulsa programs typically produce. For a field where employers often care more about skills than institutional prestige, paying private-school tuition while earning public-school outcomes deserves scrutiny. The estimated debt here is already $5,600 above what Oklahoma CS grads typically carry, which compounds the earnings gap.

That said, the fundamentals still work. A debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 means graduates should be able to manage repayment, and computer science remains among the most reliably employable fields. The question is whether Tulsa offers something—specialized faculty, industry connections, smaller class sizes—that justifies the premium over state alternatives that appear to deliver stronger early-career outcomes. Without actual placement data for this specific program, that's a leap of faith your student would need to be comfortable taking.