At $17,413/yr net price, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus graduates earn $63,126/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,126/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,413 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $69,652 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,126/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,126/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,654 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,555/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,730/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,551/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,593/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,842/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Master | $122,038 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $118,296 | $143,167 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $114,892 | $272,159 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Doctoral | $107,694 | $105,335 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $95,473 | $35,957 |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $94,408 | |
| Computer Science. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $91,017 | $23,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $89,746 | $41,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $83,177 |
The Risk Factor
75.3% of students at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Oklahoma delivers solid financial returns with a relatively affordable $17,413 annual net price and median 10-year earnings of $63,126. The 75% graduation rate means you have good odds of finishing your degree, though completion rates vary significantly by program.
Geology stands out as the financial winner, generating $122,038 in median earnings with manageable debt levels. Pharmacy and dentistry offer high salaries but come with crushing debt loads of $143,167 and $272,159 respectively, making the return timeline much longer. Business administration provides a strong middle ground at $95,473 with moderate debt of $35,957. Allied health programs offer excellent earning potential at $107,694 but require substantial upfront investment.
The biggest financial risk at OU is program selection. Liberal arts and education majors face limited earning potential in Oklahoma's job market, where energy, healthcare, and agriculture dominate. You need to choose your major carefully since the state economy offers fewer high-paying opportunities outside technical and professional fields.
OU works best financially if you can access in-state tuition and pursue high-demand majors like engineering, business, or health sciences. Out-of-state students should carefully evaluate whether the premium cost makes sense given Oklahoma's regional job market limitations. The school offers National Merit scholarships and other merit aid that can significantly reduce costs for strong academic performers.
Skip OU if you want broad career flexibility or plan to work in expensive coastal markets where the degree may not carry enough prestige to justify the opportunity cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus worth the cost?
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus offers solid value with a net price of $17,413 and median earnings of $63,126 after 10 years. The geology, pharmacy, and dental programs deliver strong returns, while other majors may struggle to justify costs.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus?
Geology leads with $122,038 in median earnings, followed by pharmacy at $118,296 and dentistry at $114,892. Business graduates earn $95,473, which is respectable but not exceptional for the field.
How much debt do University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $20,654, which is manageable given the school's earning outcomes. This debt level is reasonable for most career paths, especially in the higher-paying programs.
Does University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus have good graduation rates?
The school graduates 75% of students, which is above average but not outstanding. Combined with the 73% acceptance rate, this suggests moderate academic rigor and decent student support.