Education at University of Tulsa

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 suggests manageable financial risk, but that's based on national peer programs rather than verified outcomes from University of Tulsa's education graduates. The estimated $27,000 debt load and $38,660 first-year salary mirror typical patterns across bachelor's-level education programs nationwide, where starting teacher salaries remain compressed regardless of institutional prestige. With an SAT average of 1325 and relatively selective admissions, Tulsa draws stronger-than-average students—yet teacher pay scales rarely reward that academic profile.

The real question is whether attending a private university for education makes financial sense when Oklahoma's public institutions produce similar teaching credentials at lower cost. Teacher salaries in Oklahoma rank among the nation's lowest, and first-year educators typically start around $38,000-$40,000 regardless of where they earned their degree. Comparable programs nationally suggest that $27,000 in debt is on the higher end for education majors, many of whom graduate with less than $20,000 at public universities.

For families considering this path: the estimated figures suggest a workable debt burden if your child is certain about teaching, but verify actual placement rates and starting salaries with the education department directly. If cost is a primary concern and comparable Oklahoma programs offer lower debt loads, those may deliver equivalent career outcomes for considerably less financial strain.