"We're now very strong in areas like healthcare, banking and finance, aerospace, and defense—which are all wonderful places for our students to find careers."
Almost 80% of OU MBAs are employed three months after graduation, and about half of them start careers in Oklahoma or the greater Southwest.
To find out what MBA jobs you could land in Oklahoma, BusinessBecause caught up with Eddie and three OU MBA grads: Matt Welborn, Ellen Maetzold, and Kimberly Murrah, who found roles they love in the state.
1. Healthcare analytics
Healthcare is one of Oklahoma’s largest industries, and OU positions MBAs to bring business expertise to the sector.
“Healthcare is such a big part of our output, and so crucial to our citizens,” comments Eddie (below).
Matt Welborn is just one of the many MBAs who took up a healthcare role after graduating from OU.
An anthropologist by training, Matt tried a couple of different career paths—first teaching, then at an IT help desk—before he came to the MBA.
He says the program was a great exploratory exercise, and with the help of Eddie and the team, he found an internship with OU Health that landed him a permanent role as business intelligence analyst.
Day to day, he draws on the data analytics skills developed at OU to create a more efficient supply chain.
“I can hardly think of a better opportunity to be pursuing right now because it’s such a growing field,” he explains.
2. Banking
Finance is another popular route for MBAs in Oklahoma, says Eddie, with banking being an especially popular sector.
Oklahoma is home to several financial institutions, including Bank of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Credit Union, as well as fintech startups like payments firm 4 Leaf Solutions and tax management software company, BillStream.
“Investment banking is wildly popular,” Eddie notes—but graduates also end up in commercial and private banking.
For this reason, MBA students at OU are equipped with strong finance skills.
“We have people doing a lot of financial management work, including spreadsheet work and financial analysis,” Eddie explains.
3. Consulting
According to Graduate Management Admission Council research, almost half of business school candidates consider careers in consulting.
Eddie says it’s equally popular with OU grads. In Oklahoma, alumni can access top consultancies including Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and Grant Thornton.
“Consulting can take on numerous avenues,” Eddie explains. “You can be a consultant in a number of different industries and functions.”
To help prepare students for these diverse roles, the MBA at OU offers a module that pairs students with local businesses to carry out assessed consulting projects.
“There’s no textbook involved—it’s very experiential,” Eddie reflects.
“We’re getting rave reviews from the companies that students are doing work for,” he adds.
4. Project management
Project management roles are a popular route for MBAs. The opportunity to oversee a project, juggle priorities, and coordinate between teams makes these roles a good testing ground for up-and-coming leaders.
Ellen Maetzold (right) is one OU MBA who took this route. A teacher by training, she combined her existing communication skills with newfound business savvy to land a role as scrum master with Paycom—a local digital payroll services provider—after the MBA.
The role combined project management with coaching, as she helped teams in the company deliver the best value to clients. Over the course of a year, she was promoted to scrum master team leader, overseeing a team of six.
Although she recently relocated to Colorado, the skills Ellen developed at OU will stay with her.
“I think the MBA gave me a really broad understanding of business,” she reflects. “Just understanding what the executives were talking about and where their pain points were really helped me put myself in their shoes.”
5. Financial analysis
Kimberly Murrah (below) landed a financial planning and analysis role with fast food favourite, Sonic, after graduating with her MBA in 2018.
“My day-to-day activities include ad-hoc financial reporting and analysis to present our findings to key stakeholders,” she explains.
Kimberly already had a business background when she came to the MBA, working in a client support role with Paycom. But the program was a great opportunity to upskill and access broader opportunities, as well as honing financial analysis and modelling skills.
When she expressed an interest in working at Sonic, the MBA team was also able to connect her with the hiring manager. She completed a summer internship, and the rest is history.
Living and working in Oklahoma City, Kimberly would encourage other ambitious MBA candidates to consider the state.
“Oklahoma City has the benefit of having a small town feel in a big city environment,” she reflects. “There is so much opportunity that is waiting to be discovered.”
University of Oklahoma - Price College of Business
Percy
Verified
28/11/2023
On Campus
an Unregrettable choice of university
The University of Oklahoma has been a great experience for me. The professors are all very knowledgeable and willing to help where needed. The campus is also very beautiful and there are plenty of activities going on all the time. The student body is also really friendly and I have made a lot of new friends here. Overall, I'm really glad I chose OU and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great college experience.
Student
Verified
9/11/2022
On Campus
It is a life changing experience for me.
I am enrolled in a Ph.D. program that is research-intensive. I get continuous guidance from my supervisors that help me to conduct my research skillfully. I will gladly recommend students to study here.
Student
Verified
20/10/2022
Online
Good institution
Good institution for in class courses. Online classes are pretty hard because the instructors are most of the time not available. The student has to do everything on their own without any assistance.
Student
Verified
11/06/2022
Blended
Best school ever
This has been the best experience. of my life! Freshman year completely changed my life in so many ways! Through club’s organizations and social events the university of Oklahoma became my home. I loved being there
Student
Verified
25/04/2019
Amazing Univeristy
OU is an amazing university. Love the athletic department so much. They have so much hype and love for their athletes and students typically maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’m engineering student and OU has one of the best teachers and facilities I had so far. I know their engineering program is prestigious but I don’t know much about the other departments. Beautiful campus and amazing social events. Diversity is enormous. LOVE IT SIMPLY.
Molly
Verified
19/12/2023
On Campus
Getting the best at OU
I am a current student at the University of Oklahoma and I must say, I am extremely impressed with the quality of education and resources available here. The professors are knowledgeable and truly care about their students' success. The campus is beautiful and there are always events and activities happening. The community at OU is welcoming and diverse, making it a great place to grow and learn. I highly recommend this university to anyone looking for a well-rounded and fulfilling college experience. Boomer Sooner
Student
Verified
28/11/2023
On Campus
Everybody is really helpful over here
The university has beautiful buildings and scenic fields with benches for enjoying the weather. There are a lot of nice students, so it's a pleasant experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and gained valuable knowledge from the professors. It was a pleasure to work with my professors during my first year, as communication was easy and they consistently made themselves available during office hours, accommodating any scheduling conflicts. I had a smooth academic transition into college thanks to the great faculty.
Sara
Verified
9/01/2023
On Campus
Oklahoma
I would say it is the best university in town. The education, knowledge, curriculum, extra curriculum activities, modern laboratories, big grounds, and spacious classrooms. I would say everyone who can should study here.
Quincy
Verified
30/06/2024
On Campus
well maintained facilities
The OU campus is truly breathtaking with its vast green spaces and modern facilities. These facilities are contemporary and meticulously maintained, housing state-of-the-art science labs, a vast digital resource library, and cozy study areas perfect for late-night cram sessions. As someone from Oklahoma, attending this university has been a dream come true and has provided me with the most fulfilling years of my life. My freshman year was incredibly enjoyable, filled with fantastic friends and daily adventures. The friendships I've established here are lifelong, and I feel immense gratitude for my time at OU.
Charlie
Verified
30/06/2024
On Campus
a home far from home
Attending the University of Oklahoma brought back nostalgic memories for me. My sister graduated from this university in May 2019, and while she had spoken highly of it, she hadn't quite captured how much I would come to adore this school. It has become a home away from home, with its welcoming atmosphere, kind professors, stunning campus, and impressive football team that resonates with my high school football experiences. I am grateful for the chance to study at the University of Oklahoma and receive an exceptional education.
Lauren
Verified
5/07/2024
On Campus
psychology major
Honestly, I was not expecting to enjoy the University of Oklahoma (OU), but I ended up falling in love with it. Your college experience at OU largely depends on what you invest in it. While it was sometimes challenging to build friendships and step out of my comfort zone, the university offers numerous clubs and opportunities to engage with new people. As a psychology major at the University of Oklahoma, I firmly believe that the professors and the quality of education surpass those of any other university psychology program. This enables students to connect with professionals globally and fosters personal growth. In terms of academics, I find that professors are highly accessible to students, and there are abundant resources available to support academic achievement.
Catherine
Verified
6/07/2024
Blended
great support
The campus offers a wide range of dining choices and excellent accommodation. It is reasonably affordable and offers support in locating scholarships and financial advisors to help students manage their finances. My overall experience has been far more positive than I anticipated, and I am completely satisfied with my decision to enroll at OU.
Student
Verified
21/07/2024
On Campus
Beautiful campus scene
The University of Oklahoma has such a large and diverse population that you can't help but find your place here. There are many colleges, courses, and professors to choose from. I grew to love the environment, social life and community. The school has an amazing and breathtaking campus with many clubs and ways to get connected.
Rachel
Verified
21/07/2024
On Campus
architecture program
I have been able to explore a wide variety of academic subjects during my studies. The university's dedicated faculty members have been crucial in fostering my intellectual development and providing guidance. I have always felt supported by the staff and my professors, especially in the field of architecture. My experience so far has been a positive journey.
Student
Verified
24/07/2024
On Campus
passion for literature
The University of Oklahoma created a fantastic educational setting that blends a passion for classical works with modern research. As a student at the university, I observed a diverse array of opportunities available not only to myself but also to other postgraduate students. I appreciate the variety of campus events and the vibrant nightlife.
