University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus at a Glance
The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a public research university in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two territories became the state of Oklahoma. In Fall 2024, the university had 34,523 students enrolled, most at its main campus in Norman. Employing nearly 4,000 faculty members, the university offers 174 baccalaureate programs, 199 master's programs, 101 doctoral programs, and 88 certificate progr…
1890
136 years old
$1.8B
$1.81 billion (FY2024)
34,523
24,562 undergrad · 9,961 grad
3,752
3,000 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Worth It?
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $15,300/year, it's priced 25% below average, while graduates go on to earn $63,126 — 17% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 37 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | University of Illinois Chicago | 95 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| #4 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
| #5 | University of California-Riverside | 90 | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| #6 | University of Delaware | 82 | $17,799 | $72,950 |
| #7 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 78 | $15,300 | $63,126 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
The highest-earning program at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is Petroleum Engineering at $78,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $16,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Petroleum Engineering graduate from University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus earns $78,800, while a Anthropology graduate earns $16,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Petroleum Engineering graduates carry $22,500 in median debt vs. $21,623 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,300/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering | $78,800 | $78,800 | $22,500 |
| Industrial Engineering | $66,400 | $66,400 | $22,028 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $64,800 | $64,800 | $20,000 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $64,100 | $64,100 | N/A |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $63,600 | $63,600 | $23,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,200 | $63,200 | $22,347 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $60,700 | $60,700 | $22,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,400 | $58,400 | $19,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,100 | $58,100 | $18,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $57,000 | $57,000 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $57,000 | $57,000 | $18,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,300 | $55,300 | $21,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | $52,000 | $52,000 | $26,750 |
| Marketing | $50,300 | $50,300 | $19,500 |
| Architecture | $48,300 | $48,300 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,800 | $45,800 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $45,000 | $45,000 | $20,950 |
| Economics | $42,300 | $42,300 | $24,257 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,200 | $37,200 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,500 | $36,500 | $24,579 |
| Social Work | $35,900 | $35,900 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $35,300 | $35,300 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,000 | $35,000 | $24,025 |
| Geography and Cartography | $34,600 | $34,600 | $28,060 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $33,400 | $33,400 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,100 | $33,100 | $20,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,100 | $33,100 | $20,408 |
| Journalism | $33,000 | $33,000 | $19,500 |
| International/Global Studies | $31,800 | $31,800 | $19,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,500 | $29,500 | $21,500 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $28,500 | $28,500 | $21,904 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $27,800 | $27,800 | $19,125 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,800 | $27,800 | $22,450 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $27,500 | $27,500 | $21,500 |
| History | $25,900 | $25,900 | $17,500 |
| Psychology, General | $24,400 | $24,400 | $21,500 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $23,900 | $23,900 | $19,686 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,300 | $20,300 | $21,500 |
| Anthropology | $16,700 | $16,700 | $21,623 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Norman, OK
- Student Body
- 22,734 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,300
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,126
- Median Student Debt
- $20,654