Resources, Top Universities and Funding Opportunities for You
In Fall of 2017, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education reported a total enrollment of 199,646 post-secondary students across the state, a 2 percent decrease from the previous year. To combat this decline, and to fuel the growth of online courses and degree programs, the state’s regents created the Council for Online Learning Excellence (COLE). COLE works with Oklahoma colleges and universities to improve collaboration, provide resources, facilitate excellence in teaching and offer thought leadership in the world of hybrid and online higher education. The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and more than a dozen others are working with COLE to give students quality and affordable online degree options. Read on to learn more.
For this year’s college rankings, our analysts carefully reviewed statistical data from multiple sources for more than 7,500 postsecondary institutions so that you could easily evaluate schools based on what matters most to you. For each school, we applied the eligibility criteria outlined below, then ranked schools and programs based on four ranking factors.
Eligibility Criteria for All Postsecondary Institutions:
Must be a not-for-profit institution
Must be regionally or nationally accredited
Must offer at least one online program1
Must be located in a state (schools in US territories and Washington DC were not considered)
Ranking Factors:
Dozens of data points were used to calculate a weighted score for four ranking factors: quality, affordability, flexibility and program (in order of significance). To determine quality, which was the most important consideration for all AS Online rankings, the most impactful data points were acceptance and graduation rates; for affordability, tuition2 and grants; for flexibility, part-time enrollment offerings; and for program, degrees conferred in that program area.
Some of our nursing program rankings used exam pass rates from NCLEX
How to Read Our Rankings Tool:
A dash indicates IPEDS data was not available
Annual in-state tuition is displayed unless stated otherwise
1 Our Best Vocational Programs rankings included data for both online and campus programs.
2 Both annual in-state and out-of-state tuition rates were used in our methodology; however, our Rankings Tool currently only displays annual in-state rates.
2-Year Colleges
As technology advances, more and more students are choosing to enroll in online courses. Online colleges in Oklahoma allow students to create their own schedules and study from anywhere with an internet connection. Distance learning programs especially benefit students in rural areas, working professionals and busy parents. In 2012, more than 26,000 Oklahoma college students (10.6 percent) were enrolled in a fully online program, with 45,000 taking at least a single online course. But which online colleges in Oklahoma give these students the best chance for academic and career success? See how Oklahoma’s top online universities stack up below.
How can I find which online colleges offer the degree I’m looking for in Oklahoma?
Selecting the right online degree is as important as choosing the right school. Students can view a list of available programs on each college’s website. Eastern Oklahoma State College, for example, has a web page that includes what to expect from online programs at the school, how to get started, student services, online learning resources and a complete list of online degree programs.
Which online schools in Oklahoma will accept my transfer credits or work/life experience?
Most online colleges in Oklahoma accept transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions. However, the exact procedures and number of credits can vary. Make sure you investigate each school’s credit transfer policy and admissions requirements before making a selection. Some schools also grant credits for work and life experience. For example, the University of Oklahoma awards credits for military training.
How Much More Do College Grads in Oklahoma Make?
As in all other states, college graduates in Oklahoma earn thousands of dollars more per year than their counterparts with only a high school education. A bachelor’s degree can increase salaries by more than $26,000 per year. Let’s review the salary levels for occupations in Oklahoma by minimum degree level required.
As energy technology continues to shape the world, consumable resources such as oil and gas will continue to compete with renewable energies like wind and solar. More than 10 percent of Oklahoma’s largest employers work in the oil and gas industries. To support more students in these industries, Oklahoma colleges are adding online programs in petroleum and natural gas engineering.
The Impact of Accreditation for Online Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma
As higher education continues to grow and expand across the country, it has never been more important to know which bodies and organizations accredit schools. Accreditation indicates that a school meets a minimum set of requirements and offers quality education to its students. Accreditation helps protect students from predatory organizations claiming to provide an education they cannot deliver.
When vetting schools and their online programs, regional accreditation is the most important. The Higher Learning Commission grants regional accreditation to qualifying institutions in Oklahoma. The organization assesses colleges based on mission statement, student support services and enrollment profile. The commission also confirms that faculty, staff and administrators meet the claims outlined in the mission statement. Most employers and other schools prefer degrees with regional accreditation.
Specialized Accreditation
Some schools also receive specialized accreditation for certain programs or departments. For example, the University of Oklahoma holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology has approved the engineering bachelor’s degree at Oral Roberts University.
Paying for Online College in Oklahoma: Tuition & Financial Aid
Although college graduates earn much more than their peers without degrees, a college education is still important to land some of Oklahoma’s most lucrative jobs. Students should research which schools they can afford and which financial aid options they can access. Public in-state colleges generally come with a lower price tag, while private universities can be a little more costly. Students can apply for aid through their state government, federal government, university and private sources. Let’s take a closer look at tuition rates in Oklahoma.
In-State Tuition, Public Colleges & Universities:$6,680
What are Oklahoma’s requirements to qualify for in-state university tuition?
In order to qualify for in-state tuition, students must first establish residency. Oklahoma defines residency as living in the state for 12 consecutive months and having a domicile in the state. This domicile must be the candidate’s primary residence, and students must prove that they intend to stay in Oklahoma long-term. Dorms and student housing do not qualify.
Oklahoma students may also qualify for in-state tuition in two other circumstances. First, many online programs cost the same as campus-based programs for in-state students, regardless of where the online student lives. Second, more than 1900 academic programs across 15 states fall under the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market. In this agreement, which includes Oklahoma, students who live in any of the 15 states can study in another for the in-state rate.
Are online credits more affordable in Oklahoma than other places?
Tuition rates in Oklahoma run lower than the national average. In 2016, the average in-state tuition rate in Oklahoma was $6,680 per year, $2,100 cheaper than the national rate. Many online courses in the state have a similar cost versus national affordability pattern. Check out the similarities in the cost-per-credit rates for online undergrad students in Oklahoma and neighboring states for 2018-2019 below:
Before making any decisions, be sure to fully understand each college’s online tuition and fee structure for a more complete look at the full cost of earning an online degree.
How can I get help paying for online college in Oklahoma?
Students can access several different financial aid opportunities to pay for college in Oklahoma. Candidates may receive assistance based on financial need, academic merit or a combination of both. Before anything else, students should make sure to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By doing so, students apply for several different awards at once.
Scholarships are the best form of financial assistance. Several different organizations in Oklahoma provide scholarships, including universities, non-profits, businesses, foundations and government agencies. Criteria vary, so make sure to read the requirements of each scholarship carefully. Some scholarships may seem small—only a few hundred dollars or less—but a host of small scholarships can add up. Oklahoma residents can also receive scholarships based on their hobbies, interests and extracurriculars. For example, the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Scholarship provides funding to students interested in horses.
Oklahoma’s Promise is a fantastic scholarship program that will cover at least a portion of tuition at an Oklahoma university or college. Parents of applicants must earn less than $55,000 per year. Students should hold a minimum cumulative 2.50 GPA, apply for other financial aid, not skip school and avoid drugs and alcohol. Candidates should participate in other Oklahoma’s Promise activities to prepare for college.
Grants can also provide free aid to students. Organizations and governments usually award grants based on financial need. For example, the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG) assists students based on their FAFSA information. OTAG provides 75% of enrollment costs or $1,000, whichever is lower. Undocumented immigrants that meet certain requirements may also qualify.
Students may also pay for college using student loans. When students fill out the FAFSA and enroll at a college, the federal government offers to provide a certain amount of federal loans. Some of these loans do not charge interest while students attend school. Students should avoid private loans since financial institutions usually charge much higher rates and do not offer loan forgiveness. ReadySetRepay.org offers a plethora of information to Oklahoma students.
Additional services. Oklahoma maintains several programs that can help students save for school and repay their student loans. Students should check resources available through the Oklahoma College Assistance Program. UCanGo2 also hosts information on applying for, receiving, repaying, and defaulting on student loans.
Adult education programs teach skills to adult workers in order to improve the overall economy of the state. Government programs, businesses and educational institutions often cooperate to offer several different adult education opportunities. Oklahoma’s Workforce Investment Act provides resources for adults to prepare to return to school, find new careers and gain specialized skills. These programs include:
College and Career Readiness: The Oklahoma Career Guide can help create educational plans for adults, veterans and other Oklahoma students to advance their careers.
