Academic achievement stats for Oklahoma City demonstrate the importance of education for its residents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 28 percent of Oklahoma City inhabitants hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is similar to the national average and ahead of the state average. Oklahoma City also has a younger populace than the state as a whole. The city’s colleges and universities offer flexible options to meet different student needs as well as a centralized portal with access to the state’s online courses and programs.
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Colleges in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City’s public colleges and universities are notable for their ability to accommodate a wide range of schedules, circumstances and academic interests. The largest campus in the city is Oklahoma City Community College, which offers associate degrees and professional certificates to more than 22,000 enrolled students, making it the fifth largest college in the state. Its five most popular majors are nursing, science, liberal studies, business and pre-engineering.
Oklahoma State University (OSU), a major research center for the state, maintains a limited Oklahoma City campus that offers associate degrees in science fields, as well as certificate programs in a few select fields.
Oklahoma City has opportunities for its students to achieve professional certificates or to complete accredited coursework that can transfer among its schools. OKC Downtown College is a consortium of five area public schools: OSU, Oklahoma City Community College, Redlands Community College, Rose State College and University of Central Oklahoma. Through this centralized downtown hub, students can complete coursework for credit at any of these schools. The city also oversees Metro Technology Centers and Francis Tuttle Technology Center, which provide college courses that are transferable to other state public schools, as well as professional coursework and certificate programs.
Oklahoma City’s private nonprofit schools include Oklahoma City University and Mid-America Christian University. Both provide a wide array of academic study, and both are affiliated with the Christian faith.
Below is a look at Oklahoma City’s colleges and universities:
| INSTITUTION | TYPE | TRAINING/DEGREES OFFERED |
| Oklahoma City Community College | Public | Associate degrees, certificate programs |
| Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | Public | Associate degrees, certificate programs |
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | Public | Bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees—in health sciences |
| OKC Downtown College | Public | Undergraduate and graduate coursework; professional development and enrichment coursework |
| Langston University | Public | Adult degree completion program, professional certificates |
| Metro Technology Centers | Public | College credit, professional certificates |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center | Public | Professional certificates and coursework |
| Oklahoma City University | Private, not for profit | Bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees |
| Mid-America Christian University | Private, not for profit | Bachelor’s degrees |
Online Colleges in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma’s State Regents for Higher Education run the Online College of Oklahoma in order to support students' desire for anytime distance learning. From this centralized portal, students can access online courses and degree programs provided by 27 different Oklahoma schools, ranging from major research universities to regional universities to community colleges.
For online learners who want to connect directly with one public school, OSU-Oklahoma provides accredited coursework and degrees online. Oklahoma City Community College prides itself on highly interactive online coursework delivered by Ed2Go. The city’s Metro Technology Centers and Francis Tuttle Technology Center also offer a range of coursework online.
For private schools, the nonprofit Mid-American Christian University has online learning opportunities and innovative degree programs such as a master's in leadership, which is taught in Spanish.
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Top Industries, Careers and Employers
The state government's economic indicators for April 2014 cite short-term predictions for growth in nearly all economic sectors, particularly in professional and business services. Forbes magazine has named Oklahoma City among the country's more recession-proof cities, citing unemployment levels and economic activity in energy, agriculture and manufacturing. Oklahoma City promises expansion in diverse industries, including:
- Energy
- Aerospace
- Biotech
- Leisure and hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Financial services
In sync with the city’s established and growing industries, the top employment industries for Oklahoma City residents include health care as well as accommodation and food services. The five largest employers located within Oklahoma City mirror the importance of government, aerospace and health sciences:
- State of Oklahoma
- FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
- INTEGRIS Health
- City of Oklahoma City
- OSU Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City has two companies that made the 2013 Forbes Fortune 500 list: Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce also mentions the key role of specific areas such as bioscience and logistics. Many of these potential occupations, from health care to engineering to finance, require a solid postsecondary education.
Colleges & Universities in Oklahoma City
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES IN OKLAHOMA CITY
| COLLEGE | SIZE | TUITION | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | 15,332 | $2,534 | Public |
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | 4,483 | $3,849 | Public |
| Oklahoma City University | 4,454 | $24,740 | Not For Profit (Private) |
| Mid-America Christian University | 1,743 | $13,680 | Not For Profit (Private) |
COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA CITY
| COLLEGE | SIZE | TUITION | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Community College | 22,522 | $2,146 | Public |