The future of the workforce generally needs more than a high school diploma in attaining job satisfaction and economic progress. Only 40% of Oklahoma’s residents have achieved a higher education level, which gave rise to the need for the Launch Oklahoma goal. The state aims to increase higher educational attainment to 77% by the year 2025. This means the state wants to produce a workforce that is prepared to conquer the “high-technology and globally competitive world.” This increase in the postsecondary educational attainment may be possible by creating a pathway for more workers to achieve additional training and credentials through the colleges and universities in the state. Oklahoma’s students can choose from the 35 colleges and universities that offer online programs.
Online higher education helps you work out more opportunities for career change or advancement while balancing busy schedules and personal life. Whether you’d like to explore college, find more options to shift your career or want to continue education, distance learning gives you a broad range of choices. Online students benefit from this platform by creating their schedules, completing coursework at their own pace, and attending classes anywhere they want as long as they have internet access.
METHODOLOGY
It can be quite daunting to choose the right online college and degree program to enroll. To help you make a sound decision, our researchers and staff at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com compiled a list of the 5 Top Online Schools in Oklahoma. These academic institutions are popular for the myriad of high-quality degree programs and course disciplines they offer. Here are the features that we took into account to come up with the list:
- Rigorous coursework and curricula designed to develop the skills of future professionals,
- An exceptional virtual learning platform that features ease of access to coursework and student resources,
- Online faculty members who are prominent in their fields of study,
- Accreditation from agencies that work to maintain academic standards in colleges and universities.
See our Methodology Page for more information on our rankings.
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma was established in 1890, a few years before Oklahoma was granted statehood. This public research university is the flagship institution of the state, and it attracts over 28,000 students a year. It is recognized as R1: Doctoral University with a very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Among its 152 majors are accounting, astrophysics, computer science, geophysics, international studies, engineering, management, mathematics, sociology and more. These programs are structured in its fifteen colleges and departments. Its full array of programs leads to the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. Its top-ranked programs include business, international business, and petroleum engineering.
Distance learners also get the opportunity to earn an excellent academic experience at the University of Oklahoma. OU’s Extended Campus offers undergraduate degree programs such as organizational leadership, integrative studies, lifespan care administration, and criminal justice. Online students can also choose graduate programs like administrative leadership, health and science, organizational leadership, international relations, and more. Students can easily decide to take programs either entirely online or through a hybrid platform. OU Extended Campus was built to cater to the educational needs of working adults, military-related personnel, and those who want to pursue specialized studies.
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- At least 2.0 GPA
- Non-refundable $40 application fee
- Official transcript
Transfer
- Transferable credits from an accredited university
- 2.0 GPA
- Official transcript
Graduate
- A non-refundable $50 application fee
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- 3.0 GPA
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Official transcript
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University originated as the Oklahoma Agriculture Mechanical College. This land-grant university was established in 1890 and registered its first enrollees a year after. The university had undergone several physical expansions and now serves more than 35,000 students in its 5-branch campuses. OSU is proud to have students from all 50 states and 120 countries receiving a top-notch education. Besides the main campus, students can find OSU locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Its 324 academic offerings include some of the best programs in the nation. These include accounting, business, interior design, electrical engineering, educational psychology, and management information systems.
Distance education is provided through OSU Online. Undergraduate online students can choose from several programs such as computer science, early childcare and development, multidisciplinary studies, and nursing. Its multi-faceted education also extends to online graduate programs covering subjects like agriculture to nutritional sciences. Distance learners can expect classes delivered through their online classroom program called Brightspace by D2L, where real-time video conferencing or streaming are utilized. Online students can very well count on OSU’s student resources like LASSO Center, Career Services, Success, and Writing centers to help them build their academic pathway.
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- 3.0 GPA or 24 ACT/1160 SAT
- A nonrefundable application fee of $40 or price waivers
- Official high school transcript
Transfer
- A nonrefundable application fee of $40 or fee waivers
- Official transcript from all previous college/ universities attended
- 2.25 GPA for 24-59 semester hours or 2.0 GPA for more than 60 semester hours
Graduate
- Bachelor’s degree holder
- Official college transcript/s
- Four letters of recommendation (depending on the program)
- A nonrefundable $50 application fee
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University can trace its roots to 1963 as a private, evangelical, liberal arts university. It was founded by Oral Roberts, one of the well-known religious leaders of the 20th century. The university first accepted 300 enrollees in 1965. Its mission is to develop Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole person education to impact the world. This means providing education that helps students form skills advantageous to their body, spirit, and mind. Today, there are over 4,000 ORU learners who are admitted in its six colleges, namely College of Arts and Cultural Studies, Business, Education, Nursing, Science and Engineering, and Theology and Ministry. ORU is known for its top 5 majors—Ministry and Leadership, Business Administration, Nursing, Psychology, and Engineering.
Oral Roberts University also lets you complete your degree through its distance education program. Students sharpen their professional skills and choose from 25 online majors in a variety of fields leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. These majors include financial management, digital communication, historical and philosophical theology, marketing, human resource management, and Christian ministry. Besides these programs, ORU also offers adult-completion options. ORU’s online students are guaranteed with the same “Whole Person Education” as that of its on-campus students.
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- No application fee
- ACT score of 20 or better
- SAT score of 1030 or better
Transfer
- No application fee
- Have 15 or more transferable credits from a regionally accredited college/university
- GPA of 2.0
Graduate
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
- GRE/GMAT
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University is home to the Cherokee heritage and is the oldest college in Oklahoma. It traces its beginnings to 1846 during which it served the Cherokee Nation, and called the Cherokee National Female Seminary. In 1909, the university changed its name to Northeastern State Normal School and began offering bachelor’s degree programs. As one of the largest public four-year institutions, Northeastern admits more than 9,000 students. Aside from the main campus, NSU holds branch campuses in Muskogee and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. As one of the state’s top schools, NSU offers courses in Accounting, Biology, Elementary Education, Business, Criminal Justice, and Early Childhood Education.
With 54 undergraduate and 24 graduate programs to choose from, NSU continues to expand and provide education through NSU ONLINE. There are about 21 programs that are offered for a certificate, continuing education professional development, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The school allows you to personalize your college experience with the support of advisors and student services. NSU Online ensures comprehensive and relevant learning techniques that are designed to help students prepare for their roles in the future. Some of the areas of study covered in NSU Online are General Studies, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Organizational Leadership, American Studies, Science Education, and more.
Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- A nonrefundable $25 application fee
- ACT score of 20 or higher
- GPA of 2.7 or higher
- Official high school transcript
Transfer
- A nonrefundable $25 application fee
- Official transcript from all the previous colleges and universities attended
- Must have 23 transferable credit hours
Graduate
- A nonrefundable $25 application fee
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 2.5
- MAT/GRE/ GMAT results
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a private, liberal arts university built to serve as a Christ-centered community. It was established as a result of several mergers of schools in the 1960s. At present, this liberal arts and sciences university offers academic programs with an on-campus, evening, and an online class option. These programs are classified in 5 schools covering fields of study in arts and sciences, ministry, business, education, and nursing. The university educates more than 1,000 students for both undergraduate and graduate levels.
OKWU has mainly created programs meant for working adults who want to pursue a degree or seek additional academic attainment. Through OKWU’s STEP program, students can complete an associate degree in less than two years through an online platform. Also, online pastoral training is available 100% online. In addition to these special programs, online academic offerings include bachelor’s degree programs in Business Administration, Ministry, and Leadership, RN to BSN, Organizational Management and Psychology. Candidates can also apply for master’s degree programs in Education, Business Administration, Science in Nursing, and Strategic Leadership.
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- No application fee
- Official high school transcript
- ACT/SAT scores
Transfer
- No application fee
- Official transcript from all the colleges and universities previously attended
- GPA of 2.0
Graduate
- No application fee
- Official transcript from all the colleges and universities previously attended
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
College students choose to enroll in online schools for the reason that it gives them the freedom to manage their schedules. Eliminating transportation costs and other school fees is another advantage of getting an online education. The goal is to not only locate an online school that offers quality programs but to also obtain a degree that exhibits a significant return on your investment. The list below is a ranking of online schools that give importance to affordability and provides tuition guarantees. It’s often a challenge to find schools that meet your budget needs, but we have come up with a group of the best online schools in Oklahoma that not merely shape job prospects but also help students keep costs down.
METHODOLOGY
Following an assessment of the cheap colleges in the state, we have come up with the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Oklahoma. This catalogs the most affordable online colleges that deliver robust online programs. These inexpensive online schools also provide financial aid opportunities to qualified online learners.
Rogers State University
Rogers State University has been around before Oklahoma was declared a state. It was founded in 1909 to prepare the young citizens of Claremore to get to colleges and universities. The university had gone through several changes catering to more students from high school to junior classes over the years. As soon as the school was recognized as a member of the OU Board of Regents, it then sought accreditation as a degree-granting university. Today, the school enrolls more than 3,000 students immersed in its high-quality education. In addition to a broad range of minors, RSU offers programs for certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some of these programs are also provided through RSU’s distance education.
RSU prides itself on delivering high-technology learning and affordability. Tuition charges are the same for both on-ground and online courses. Undergraduate Oklahoma residents pay $152 per credit hour while out-of-state students pay $430 per credit hour. Eligible undergraduate students can take advantage of RSU’s Guaranteed Tuition Program. Graduate tuition for Oklahoma residents is at $166 per credit hour while non-residents take $449 per credit hour.
Location: Claremore, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- A nonrefundable application fee of $20
- Official high school transcript or GED result
- ACT result
Transfer
- A nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcript from all colleges/universities attended
- 24 transferable credit hours
Graduate
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or better
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma stands as the flagship university of the state and is classified as R! Doctoral University. It was founded in 1890 as a mechanical college. The university went through different stages throughout the years and had gone through many changes in its infrastructure. Apart from its main campus, UO has three other campus locations. This residential, public university is known to offer more than 150-degree programs in its 15 colleges. Its well-known majors are business, petroleum engineering, international business and those related to weather programs. The school is ideal for students who want to fulfill coursework without leaving their jobs. OU Extended Campus delivers five undergraduate and ten graduate programs.
Part of UO’s commitment to excellent online education quality is its low-cost programs. Resident tuition for undergraduate programs is only $159.60 per credit hour while nonresident tuition is $672.30 per credit hour. Graduate tuition for resident students is $213.30 per credit hour while out-of-state students pay $847.60 per credit hour. OU Extended Campus grants up to $1,500 per semester for its scholarships.
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- At least 2.0 GPA
- Non-refundable $40 application fee
- Official transcript
Transfer
- Transferable credits from an accredited college/university
- 2.0 GPA
- Official transcript
Graduate
- A non-refundable $50 application fee
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
- 3.0 GPA
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Official transcript
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Oklahoma State University
The flagship university of the Oklahoma State University system was established in 1890. It was named the Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College with only six graduate students in the first few years it operated. At present, roughly 25,000 students from all states and more than 100 countries comprise the OSU enrollees. The school is proud to be recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with the highest research activity. There are around 200 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs at OSU. Top programs include fields in business, fashion, accounting, educational assessment, management information system and electrical engineering.
Students can find online programs at OSU Online. It is recognized as one of the universities that give excellent value by helping students graduate with less debt. Undergraduate cost for residents is only $178.55 per credit hour while non-resident tuition costs $695.50. Graduate cost for in-state students is $230.45 per credit hour, and out-of-state graduate students pay $360 per credit hour. Students can expect courses and programs at OSU Online to be delivered entirely online.
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- 3.0 GPA or 24 ACT/1160 SAT
- A nonrefundable application fee of $40 or fee waivers
- Official high school transcript
Transfer
- A nonrefundable application fee of $40 or fee exemptions
- Official transcript from all previous college/universities attended
- 2.25 GPA for 24-59 semester hours or 2.0 GPA for more than 60 semester hours
Graduate
- Bachelor’s degree holder
- Official college transcript/s
- Four letters of recommendation (depending on the program)
- A nonrefundable $50 application fee
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Northeastern State University
Known as the oldest institution of higher education, Northeastern State University has kept its connection to the Cherokee Nation and Indian Territory for almost 170 years. It functioned as a training school for teachers and was named as the Northeastern State Normal School. Besides its main campus, NSU has two other locations in the state, Muskogee and Broken Arrow. Today, NSU admits more than 7,800 students and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Students can choose subjects from Accounting to Technology. Northeastern State University is not only dedicated to enriching the learning of its on-campus students but also its distance learner. Online programs are delivered through NSU Online.
Northeastern State University tuition and fees are some of the most affordable in the state. For only $184.25 per credit, Oklahoma residents can take undergraduate programs. Non-resident tuition is $453 per credit hour. Graduate student’s in-state tuition starts at $235 per credit hour while out-of-state tuition is $528.75 per credit hour. NSU also offers the Guarantee Tuition Rate to eligible students at $199.75 per credit hour. This means new NSU students may register for a lock-in tuition rate that will apply for the four-year stay in the university.
Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- A nonrefundable $25 application fee
- ACT score of 20 or higher
- GPA of 2.7 or higher
- Official high school transcript
Transfer
- A nonrefundable $25 application fee
- Official transcript from all the previous colleges and universities attended
- Must have 23 transferrable credit hours
Graduate
- A nonrefundable $25 application fee
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 2.5
- MAT/GRE/ GMAT results
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Cameron University
Cameron University opened a year after Oklahoma’s statehood. It was named Cameron State School of Agriculture and went through a few name changes within the next 60 years. Today, Cameron University stands as a public university that is dedicated to serving quality education to its more than 4,000 learners. Its small class sizes ensure full attention and support from the faculty are provided. The school has more than 50 programs leading to a two-year and four-year degree, as well as a graduate degree. Students can choose from up to 40 undergraduate and six graduate programs. Some programs offer a couple of concentrations and minors. These programs also go further with Cameron’s Distance Learning, which provides 100% online courses and programs. Students can access online learning through the Blackboard program, and student support services are readily available.
Tuition rates go as low as $215 per credit hour (undergraduate division) for Oklahoma residents, while non-Oklahoma residents have $529 per semester hour. The graduate division offers $255 per semester hour to Oklahoma residents and $628 per credit hour for out-of-state tuition. Just like most of our colleges on the list, Cameron offers Guaranteed Tuition, which is $238 per semester hour to eligible students.
Location: Lawton, Oklahoma
Admission Requirements:
Freshmen
- Application fee of $20
- ACT of 20 or SAT of 940
- Official high school transcript
- Computerized Placement Tests for enrollees over the age of 21
Transfer
- Application fee of $20
- At least 24 transferable credit hours
- Official transcripts from previous colleges/ universities attended
Graduate
- Application fee of $20
- Official transcript from previous colleges/ universities attended itemizing undergraduate and graduate coursework
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
