Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma of 2024

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Are you considering enrollment with online colleges and universities in Oklahoma? There are many distance learning programs available in the state, making it easy for students to take classes from anywhere with consistent internet access. Remote degrees are available for almost all major and minor subject areas, although some content suits this delivery method better than others. Students can also choose which degree type they want to pursue – associate, bachelor’s, or master’s. Many institutions even offer remote opportunities to work towards professional certificates and doctorates.

In general, earning a degree of any kind offers benefits. Not only will graduates have a wide variety of professional employment opportunities, but they will also become more competitive among their peers. Additionally, successfully completing higher education programs tends to increase overall earning potential. Advantages specific to online learning include flexible scheduling options and lower tuition costs. Because coursework can be completed remotely, students who are unable to attend classes in person due to work and other obligations may find distance learning programs particularly appealing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of February 2022, the civilian labor force in Oklahoma was 1,853,819. Of these employable individuals, 1,804,814 had jobs and 49,005 did not. The resulting unemployment rate for the state was 2.6%, which is much lower than the recent record high of 12.6% in April 2020. Notably, 2.6% is the state’s lowest unemployment rate since at least 2012.

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Online Higher Education in Oklahoma

In May 2020, Oklahoma had a mean hourly wage of $22.76 and an annual mean wage of $47,340. This is well below the national annual wage of $56,310. Trends indicate, however, that professionals who hold at least one degree are likely to have better employment prospects and, as a result, earn more money. This is true even at the associate level, although advanced degrees typically produce the best results.

Pay will depend on the field entered. Prospective students should research which industries offer higher wages in the state than others prior to selecting online degree programs.

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Some of the jobs with the highest annual mean wages in Oklahoma include:

Chief Executives
Marketing Managers
Natural Science Managers
Petroleum Engineers
Geoscientists, Hydrologists, and Geographers
Lawyers
Dentists
Orthodontists
Podiatrists
Surgeons
Nurse Anesthetists
Physicians
Psychiatrists
Obstetricians and Gynecologists

During the 2021-2022 academic year, there were a total of 214,200 students enrolled colleges and universities in Oklahoma. This includes 187,750 undergraduate and 26,450 graduate school students. Most attended classes full-time, but 87,363 were designated as part-time students.

While distance learning options are available in Oklahoma, they are not as readily utilized as in some other states. A total of 61,669 took online classes exclusively, while another 70,164 were enrolled in some online classes. This leaves 82,367 students who were not in any online classes at all. Approximately 61% of students took at least one course remotely during the 2020-2021 academic year, however.

In 2022, the average cost of undergraduate tuition and fees for Oklahoma residents is $6,298 per academic year, while students from other states paid an average of $12,862 per year. The cost of earning master’s degrees is only slightly higher, with the average tuition and fees for in-state students sitting at $6,542. Non-residents paid $15,409.

Prospective students will also need to account for the cost paying for the general cost of living, as well as their school books and supplies. In 2022, the average living costs of Oklahoma colleges and universities when students live on campus is $12,122. This expense is higher for those living off campus, who pay $13,349. The average cost of books and supplies was $1,591, up over 103% from the previous year.

It’s worth noting that online programs often cost less than traditional ones. This is because many colleges and universities charge lower tuition and fee rates for distance learners. Additionally, these students are not responsible for some related costs, such as parking and on-campus activities. These differences can be significant, especially when financial aid is utilized as well. Distance learners can still qualify for grants, scholarships, and loans by completing and submitting Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.

Our School Rankings Methodology

Prospective students can use school rankings to help determine which online programs will make achieving their academic and professional goals easier. The information provides insight regarding institution suitability and value. This can also indicate which degrees will be most respected by potential employers. At the base level, rankings data assist prospective students in narrowing down their higher education options.

Our list of top online programs available in Oklahoma was created using a proprietary ratings system in order to effectively provide reliable rankings. The results are both accurate and applicable to students of all types.

Some of the data types utilized to generate our rankings include:

Graduation Rate
Net Price
Average Graduate Salary
Retention Rate
Reputation
Student-to-Faculty Ratio

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Notably, the only colleges and universities considered in our assessments were properly academically accredited. We also paid careful attention to the overall quality of education provided, as well as institutional affordability.