Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Oklahoma. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Every school on this best-of list is accredited — most by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which accredits educational institutions in 19 states. There are five criteria for accreditation through the HLC, including ethical and responsible conduct, quality, resources and support in teaching and learning, and institutional effectiveness. The Bible colleges on our list are accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Oklahoma
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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Oklahoma
Does Oklahoma have good online colleges and universities?
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as Roger State University’s Online Associate in Computer Science and Northeastern State University’s Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in Oklahoma to complete a master’s degree while you work in one of the state’s many growing fields, such as healthcare. Oklahoma has a variety of graduate school options, like the University of Central Oklahoma’s Online Master of Business Administration and the University of Oklahoma’s Online Master of Social Work.
It’s also worth mentioning that we selected Oklahoma State University as one of the 30 best schools in the entire United States for distance education. For more information, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top options in the country for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Oklahoma cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, whereas others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. Oklahoma became a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) in 2015, which means that out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from Oklahoma schools without incurring additional fees.
Why should you choose Oklahoma for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to religious institutions to top public research universities, Oklahoma offers something for every online college student. One option that stands out as a particularly appealing choice is Oral Roberts University, which offers dozens of online undergraduate programs.
The Cost of Online College in Oklahoma
How much does an online degree in Oklahoma cost?
The cost of an online degree in Oklahoma depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree you decide to pursue. For example, undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses, such as transportation, parking, and housing, by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the lowest and highest rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Oklahoma below:
Most affordable online college in Oklahoma: Oklahoma Christian University, $275 per credit
Most expensive online college in Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, $732 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Oklahoma to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you would be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in Oklahoma for 12 consecutive months. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and graduate fellows, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Oklahoma?
In 1992, the state of Oklahoma began its Oklahoma Promise program, which allows students who are enrolled in a high school within the state to earn free tuition at an in-state public college or university. Students must also demonstrate financial need in order to qualify for the scholarship.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Oklahoma
If you don’t qualify for the Oklahoma Promise, there are many other sources of financial support available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on income, whereas others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below.
Celebrate the West
Students from Oklahoma are eligible to enter this annual art scholarship competition hosted by the Western Governors’ Foundation and sponsored by Americans for the Arts. The annual competition asks high school students to create original works inspired by their state.
Who’s eligible? In addition to being Oklahoma residents, entrants must be enrolled in grades 9–12 and submit a digital copy of their artwork that expresses a western theme. Eligible media include painting, drawing, lithography, silkscreen, mixed media, computer graphics, and collage.
Contact information: [email protected] | 303-623-9378
Horatio Alger State Scholarship - Oklahoma
This national scholarship program is named after American author Horatio Alger and funded by the Horatio Alger Association and Horatio Alger Endowment Fund. It’s offered to students who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Recipients may begin their studies at a two-year institution and later transfer to a four-year institution.
Who’s eligible? High school juniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA, financial need, and Oklahoma residency.
Contact information: [email protected] | 844-422-4200
May T. Henry Scholarship Fund
Stride Bank administers these memorial scholarships, which are named after a beloved Oklahoma English teacher who believed no student should be deprived of quality education due to a lack of finances. Any student planning to attend a college, university, or technical school supported by the state of Oklahoma is eligible to apply.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, students must be high school graduate entering their first year at one of 27 eligible educational institutions in Oklahoma.
Contact information: [email protected] | 580-233-3535
Jimmie L. Dean Scholarship Foundation
These scholarships were established in 2008 from a gift of Jimmie L. Dean to keep Oklahoma’s best and brightest students in the state. Recipients should share Dean’s commitment to hard work, individual responsibility, and education. Family income does not factor into the decision for an award.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, recipients should have a strong desire to remain in Oklahoma after graduation from a four-year Oklahoma-based college or university. Applicants must have an ACT score of 25 or higher, and intended majors in the technical fields are preferred.
Contact information: [email protected] | 918-585-1220
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in Oklahoma
If you still don’t know where you will attend college, it’s quite possible you don’t yet know what you will major in as well. In that case, one of the most important factors you should consider is which industries are growing the fastest in Oklahoma — this will make it easier to find a job, and more demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By examining the 2020-2030 Oklahoma Long-Term Occupational Outlook, we’ve determined that the following five industries will have some of the highest growth rates in the Sooner State over the next few years.
Food Preparation and Serving
Restaurants and beverage establishments account for 11% of all employment in Oklahoma, and that number is expected to grow. The most common occupations in this sector in Oklahoma are fast-food workers, servers, and supervisors. Jobs in food preparation and serving in Oklahoma pay an average salary of $25,940. Other jobs in this sector include chefs, private household cooks, bartenders, school cafeteria attendants, and restaurant managers.
- Growth: 23.6%
- Degree options: Associate in Food and Beverage Studies, Bachelor’s in Food Industry Compliance, Bachelor’s in Baking and Pastry Arts, Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts, Bachelor’s in Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship, Master’s in Business Administration
Healthcare Support
Driving the demand for healthcare support workers in Oklahoma is the state’s growing population, which is currently outpacing national population growth. Within this sector, the most common occupations are home health and personal care aides, nursing assistants, and medical assistants. Other occupations in this domain include psychiatric aides, physical therapy assistants, veterinary assistants, massage therapists, and pharmacy aides. The average statewide salary for all jobs in this industry is $31,510.
- Growth: 19.6%
- Degree options: Associate in Veterinary Technology, Associate in Nursing, Associate in Dental Assisting, Associate in Clinical Laboratory Technician, Bachelor’s in Health Administration, Bachelor’s in Health and Human Services, Bachelor’s in Pre-Occupational Therapy
Arts and Entertainment
Expansion of film and television production in the state is driving an influx of arts and entertainment jobs. Nationally, the industries within this sector with the highest levels of employment are motion picture and video production, radio and television broadcasting, and advertising. Specific jobs in this sector include reporters, camera operators, graphic designers, and technical writers. The average arts and entertainment industry salary in Oklahoma is $49,440.
- Growth: 10.8%
- Degree options: Associate in Industrial Design, Bachelor’s in Cinematography, Bachelor’s in Animation, Bachelor’s in Digital Arts, Master’s in Journalism, Master of Fine Arts, Ph.D. in Creative Writing
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
The fastest-growing jobs within this industry include epidemiologists, food scientists, microbiologists, geoscientists, and geological/hydrologic technicians. In Oklahoma, those employed in this field earn an average salary of $72,790.
- Growth: 10.5%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Chemistry, Bachelor’s in Biology, Bachelor’s in Public Health, Master’s in Chemistry, Master’s in Biology, Master’s in Public Health
Transportation and Material Moving
Because of Oklahoma’s central location in the country and the major highway trade routes that run through it, it is a hub for transportation, material moving, and warehousing. The most popular jobs in Oklahoma in this sector are tractor-trailer drivers and stockers. Other jobs within this category include packagers, airline pilots, transportation inspectors, conveyor operators, locomotive engineers, and supervisors. The average salary in Oklahoma for the transportation and material moving industry is $40,000.
- Growth: 8.2%
- Degree options: Associate in Logistics, Associate in Railroad Operations, Bachelor’s in Transportation and Logistics Management, Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management, Bachelor’s in Air Traffic Management, Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Aviation