Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Oklahoma State vary significantly by field of study. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and identify programs that align with your career goals and financial objectives.
Analyzing 54 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus.
Engineering programs at Oklahoma State deliver exceptional earnings outcomes, with Mechanical Engineering producing $85,403 median earnings and ranking #41 nationally. Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $83,663, while Aerospace Engineering reaches $68,226.
These programs combine strong national rankings with manageable debt levels, creating excellent value propositions. Engineering students can expect debt-to-earnings ratios well below 0.4, making loan repayment highly manageable.
This group is best suited for students prioritizing high earnings potential and strong return on investment.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering. | — |
Program outcomes vary significantly within institutions due to differences in career trajectories, industry demand, and regional job markets. These rankings reflect actual graduate outcomes from federal College Scorecard data, measuring median earnings and debt levels for degree recipients. Rankings compare programs nationally within each field, not across all programs at Oklahoma State. Cohort sizes indicate the number of graduates included in federal reporting, with larger cohorts providing higher confidence in reported figures. Students should consider program-specific outcomes alongside personal interests and career goals, recognizing that individual results depend on factors including geographic location, additional certifications, and career choices beyond the degree program.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
| $101,279★ |
| — |
| 27 |
| Chemical Engineering. | — | $98,557 | $45,250 | 46 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | — | $96,447 | — | 63 |
| Industrial Engineering. | — | $94,692 | — | 43 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. | — | $91,249 | $41,369 | 118 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians.Small sample | — | $90,291 | — | 10 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | — | $89,436 | $31,790 | 269 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician. | — | $89,342 | — | 40 |
| Civil Engineering. | — | $86,890 | $36,150 | 58 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | — | $85,641 | $29,378 | 144 |
| Agricultural Engineering.Small sample | — | $83,517 | — | 19 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | — | $76,400 | $36,675 | 22 |
Business programs show varied outcomes, with Banking and Financial Support Services leading at $72,317 and Accounting Technology reaching $72,003. Digital Marketing produces $56,827 with strong national ranking (#103), while the large Business Administration program graduates 382 students annually at $54,967.
Some programs like Banking carry higher debt levels, while others maintain more manageable borrowing. This group serves students seeking diverse career paths in commerce and finance, with outcomes depending significantly on specialization choice.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | — | $81,340★ | $49,634 | 194 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | — | $81,039 | $46,162 | 171 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | — | $69,153 | — | 25 |
| International Business. | — | $66,385 | — | 32 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | — | $64,678 | — | 49 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | — | $64,062 | $37,042 | 419 |
| Marketing. | — | $62,716 | $38,458 | 334 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | — | $47,756 | $41,930 | 44 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. leads health with 82K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.Small sample | — | $82,326★ | — | 17 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | — | $56,543 | $44,161 | 75 |
| Public Health. | — | $52,517 | $41,238 | 30 |
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. leads sciences & mathematics with 60K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. | — | $59,979★ | $32,288 | 74 |
| Biology, General. | — | $59,081 | $23,672 | 100 |
| Mathematics. | — | $53,352 | — | 20 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | — | $53,126 | $27,959 | 63 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | — | $49,010 | — | 55 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology. | — | $42,474 | — | 74 |
Psychology represents the primary program in this category, graduating 168 students with median earnings of $44,208. While earnings are moderate, debt levels remain reasonable at $35,843.
This field typically serves students planning graduate education or career paths in counseling, human resources, or social services. Students should expect longer earning growth trajectories and consider debt management carefully given the moderate starting earnings typical in psychology and related fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government. | — | $63,977★ | $19,940 | 65 |
| Psychology, General. | — | $50,956 | $35,843 | 236 |
| Sociology. | — | $48,175 | — | 47 |
Advertising ranks #29 nationally, producing $51,274 earnings for 122 graduates. However, debt levels reach $53,112, creating challenging debt-to-earnings ratios that extend payoff timelines.
This program attracts students interested in creative marketing careers, but financial planning becomes critical given the higher debt burden. Students should carefully consider debt management and explore scholarship opportunities to improve the financial equation in communications fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | — | $56,319★ | $53,112 | 92 |
| Journalism.Small sample | — | $52,292 | — | 18 |
General Studies ranks exceptionally at #27 nationally, producing $52,247 earnings for 265 graduates with strong value scores. This program demonstrates that liberal arts education can yield solid career outcomes when combined with practical skills.
The large enrollment suggests strong student demand and institutional support. This pathway suits students seeking broad educational foundations with flexibility for diverse career applications, particularly those planning graduate school or professional programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.Small sample | — | $62,404★ | — | 8 |
| Philosophy.Small sample | — | $59,640 | — | 17 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | — | $52,405 | $31,812 | 46 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | — | $52,152 | $40,740 | 249 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | — | $43,494 | — | 26 |
| History.Small sample | — | $40,169 | — | 18 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.Small sample | — | $24,871 | — | 6 |
Adult and Continuing Education produces $43,047 earnings for 116 graduates, reflecting typical outcomes in education fields. Debt levels of $45,624 create extended payoff timelines common in public service careers.
Education programs serve students committed to teaching and community service, where intrinsic rewards often complement moderate financial returns. Students should plan for longer debt repayment periods and consider public service loan forgiveness programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | — | $54,953★ | $44,466 | 62 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | — | $46,215 | $45,624 | 113 |
Agricultural programs reflect Oklahoma State's heritage strengths, with Agricultural Animal Breeding ranking #19 nationally despite moderate earnings of $43,388. Agribusiness operations produce $51,143 with solid value scores.
These programs typically involve higher debt levels relative to earnings, creating longer payoff timelines. However, graduates enter stable career fields with growth potential.
This group suits students passionate about agricultural sciences and willing to accept moderate earnings for meaningful work in essential industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management. | — | $60,830★ | $38,194 | 136 |
| Soil Sciences.Small sample | — | $57,348 | — | 18 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research.Small sample | — | $57,056 | — | 17 |
| Animal Sciences. | — | $53,971 | $46,970 | 200 |
| Agricultural Public Services. | — | $52,747 | $35,288 | 66 |
Aeronautics/Aviation shows the challenges of specialized career fields, with $36,141 earnings against $48,762 debt creating difficult financial equations. Despite ranking #24 nationally, the program struggles with affordability metrics.
Students passionate about aviation should carefully evaluate debt management and explore scholarship opportunities. This pathway requires strong commitment to the field given the financial challenges typical in entry-level aviation careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation. | — | $75,469★ | $48,762 | 115 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | — | $73,075 | — | 41 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. | — | $61,369 | $28,416 | 83 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | — | $50,583 | $31,270 | 96 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | — | $49,468 | — | 38 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | — | $35,437 | $59,059 | 80 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
