Best Colleges in Oklahoma

Most Popular Degrees and Careers in Oklahoma

Cost of Oklahoma College Education & Salaries

Public colleges and universities in Oklahoma have a two-tier tuition structure. Out-of-state students pay a fee that reflects the costs and value of high-quality education. The average out-of-state rate across the US is lower than the average private school tuition prices but also much higher than the average in-state tuition. In Oklahoma, it is much the same. In-state tuition fees at public colleges and universities represent a low-cost option for Oklahoma students and families. These rates reflect the high levels of support that Oklahoma residents provide to their public university system. Oklahoma residents and businesses support education in the state with taxes and special assessments that fund the public higher education system.

Oklahoma also provides tuition relief for Oklahoma students that must attend out-of-state schools to get a major that they prefer. The Oklahoma University system is part of the SREB Academic Common Market. This program can provide a waiver of out-of-state fees for Oklahoma students that attend colleges outside of Oklahoma. When Oklahoma students seek a major course of study not available in Oklahoma, they can attend a school in a participating nearby state. The academic common market includes 16 states.

Search Programs Offering Oklahoma Majors

Scholarships for Oklahoma College Students

Students should pursue scholarships and grants to help pay the costs of college education in Oklahoma. Unlike student loans from the federal government, state government, or private lenders, students do not have to repay scholarships and grants. A four-year degree from a private school costs about $190,000 and about $160,000 from public schools at out-of-state rates. Many students take on student loan debt to pay the costs of a four-year degree. In-state tuition rates, when combined with grants and scholarships, can make education reachable for millions of students.

OTAG

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant

Amount: $1,000-$1,300
Deadline: Varies
https://okhighered.org/admin-fac/finaidresources/otag/
The OTAG program is a needs-based program that awards grants to Oklahoma students up to a limit of funds appropriated by the Legislature for each school year. The program has need-based criteria and a limit on household incomes for eligible students. Family incomes must be $50,000 or less. Students must apply through the FAFSA which has a deadline February 15, for schools, March 1 for state programs, and June 30 for federal programs. Since funds are limited, students should apply as soon as they can in the FAFSA period that begins October 1, 2019. Citizenship is a requirement; however, undocumented students may be eligible to revive OTAG funds if they meet residency requirements.

OTEG

Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant

Amount: $2,000
Deadline: February 1
https://www.okhighered.org/admin-fac/FinAidResources/oteg.shtml
The Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant is open to undergraduate students that have not yet earned their first bachelor’s degree. Family income must qualify at $50,000 or less using the OTEG standards. The Family Contribution (EFC) must be $1,700 or less. Students must apply by demonstrating need on the FAFSA. The award is for up to $2,000 per academic year up to five academic years.

OP

Oklahoma’s Promise

Amount: Full Tuition at an Oklahoma Public Institution OR; Partial Tuition at a Private or Technical College
Deadline: Students must enroll in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade.
https://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/application-requirements.shtml
Oklahoma Promise is a tuition scholarship program that awards benefits to students that complete a required set of college preparatory courses while in high school. Eligible students must be Oklahoma residents and attend high school or take homeschooling in Oklahoma. Some out-of-state students may qualify to transfer credits into the Oklahoma system. Students must meet program requirements for grades and attendance. The program has a family income limit of about $55,000 as computed under the program’s standards.

RUBS

Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship

Amount: $3,000 and Tuition Waiver
Deadline: Set by each participating School.
https://okhighered.org/admin-fac/finaidresources/
The 11 participating Oklahoma colleges provide tuition assistance in the form of up to four years of scholarship support. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements; they must be Oklahoma residents, National Merit Scholars, or have an ACT composite score of 30. The scholarship funds and tuition waiver provide full scholarship support for up to eight semesters. The scholarships may only be used at the granting school. Students must apply through the participating school that they wish to attend. The participating schools include Langston University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Oklahoma Panhandle State, Rogers State, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Central Oklahoma, and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

FTS

Future Teachers Scholarship

Amount: $500-$1,500 (awardees receive more the more hours they have completed)
Deadline: Set by Each participation Institution
https://okhighered.org/admin-fac/finaidresources/fts/
Students must be Oklahoma residents nominated by the college they attend. Full and part time students can participate. The program grants priority to full-time students. Students must be highly rated scholars and admitted to a state-approved, accredited, teacher preparation program. Recipients must maintain good standing, a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and must agree to teach for three consecutive years in an Oklahoma teacher shortage area.

ASP

Academic Scholars Program

Amount: #3,500-$5,500
Deadline: April 30
https://sde.ok.gov/academic-scholar-recognition-program
The Oklahoma Academic Scholars program awards scholarships to students that achieve high scores on the ACT or SAT. Students can qualify by high test scores and by a nomination of the college or high school that they attend. Students with automatically qualifying scores must apply to the college or high school of attendance. Students designated as Presidential scholars, National Merit scholar, or national Merit Finalist should apply through the college they attend or will attend. Institutional nominees should contact the Oklahoma public school that they attend through the student financial aid office.

HSF

Heartland Scholarship Fund

Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
https://www.okhighered.org/state-system/policy-procedures/2017/Chapter%205-2017%20Final.pdf
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building left many lives forever changed and damaged. Oklahoma has a scholarship fund for dependent children affected by the terror attack on the Murrah Building. Eligible students must be a surviving dependent child from the incident or a dependent child of a fatal victim. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education administers the program. Students that may be eligible should call (800) 858-1840 or email- Studentinfo@osrhe.edu.

MTHSF

May T. Henry Scholarship Foundation

Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1
https://cnb-ok.com/sft1172/maythenryapplication.pdf
The award can go to any Oklahoma resident pursuing any field of study. The requirements for eligibility are a residency in the State of Oklahoma, a high school diploma or GED. Eligible students must attend or intend to attend an Oklahoma public college, university, or technical school. May T. Henry was a pioneering educator in Oklahoma that promoted parent-teacher involvement in the education of Oklahoma students.

GDNPSS

George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Set by participating schools
https://sites.uco.edu/central/leadership/nigh-academy/index.asp
These awards seek to support students that will study subjects that can lead to a career in public service. Each of the participating institutions may nominate a recipient. The schools may determine selection standards that reflect faculty recommendations, community service, extracurricular involvement, leadership, national and scholastic awards. The awards are not renewable.

AFCFS

Allen Family Charitable Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $10,000 (4 Awards)
Deadline: December 1
https://cnb-ok.com/sft1172/allenfamilyfoundationscholarship.pdf
The Cherokee Strip Community Foundation and the Allen Family Foundation provide four $10,000 scholarships renewable for up to four years. Eligible applicants must be Oklahoma residents and graduates of Enid high school, Pioneer high school, or the Oklahoma Bible Academy. The program aims to promote Enid area students that seek a college degree with a special focus on students that would be the first in their families to achieve a college education. Students can attend any two-year or four-year institution as a full-time student.