Finding an online degree in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is not a difficult task. Most schools in and around the city have at least one program that is available to online students. And, as more employers become accustomed to hiring working professionals who have earned an online degree, the search process becomes easier in the sense that more degrees are now optimized for online learning.
However, sifting through the schools that offer online degrees is an altogether different task. With so many options and schools offering different features, it can be hard to comb through to find the best schools. To help make the work easier, this ranking has been created to put forth the best schools for an online degree near Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Methodology
The beginning of this ranking began with a cursory search for online degrees in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the National Center for Education Statistics website and its publicly available College Navigator database. The schools that made the cut were then researched individually using the program’s website. Using a points-based methodology, schools were ranked based on the following factors:
Types of online degree options available (associate, bachelor, master’s, doctorate): 1 point per degree level.
Cost per credit hour:
Under $250 – 4 points
$251 – $350 – 3 points
$351 – $450 – 2 points
Over $451 per credit hour – 1 point
Regional Accreditation:
Present – 1 point
Student to faculty ratio:
10:1 or less – 3 points
11:1 to 15:1 – 2 points
Greater than 15:1 – 1 point
The final 10 schools can be found within a 100-mile radius of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are listed below in the order of the total amount of points accrued during the research process.
10. The University of Tulsa
Boulder, Colorado
There are several great online master’s programs available at the University of Tulsa. This school is home to a select number of exceptional graduate degrees that range from energy to business and in between. The programs were created to be completed as part-time degrees; students will not have the option to complete it as full-time students. This is also a low-residency program, meaning that students will be expected to attend campus. Asynchronous and synchronous courses are available and will enable students to choose the program that best fits their needs. Online features for this program include 24/7 technical support, academic and career advising, office hours, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $1,497
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 5
9. Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City University can help students who are interested in completing an online degree in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This school offers five different online master’s degrees that can be taken 100 percent online. Fields of study include energy management, nursing, criminology, and business administration. A degree completion program also exists, providing students with the chance to complete the degree they started once and have not had the time to complete. Online features for this program include academic and career advising, 24/7 technical support, smartphone and tablet apps for the online portal, tutoring, office hours, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $590
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 5
8. Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Students interested in online bachelor’s programs will want to spend some time looking at Oklahoma Baptist University. This school is home to a select group of degrees that will help students from all walks of life. Fields of study include nursing, education, intercultural students, and Christian studies; degrees come with concentrations and specializations. Students will find that courses are offered in eight-week sessions, making it a great way for them to complete their degree in about half the time as it would take on-campus. Online features for this program include academic and career advising, 24/7 technical support, tutoring services, smartphone and tablet apps to complement the online portal, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $886
Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 6
7. Oklahoma Christian University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Christian University is a place students who are interested in completing an online degree near Tulsa, Oklahoma, will want to pay attention to. This school confers undergraduate and graduate degrees in around 10 different fields; certificates are also available. Fields of study include nursing, engineering, and business. Students will find that these programs were designed for busy students and will be convenient and flexible enough to fit into every schedule. A dedicated online staff is available to help students with their questions and experienced faculty are at the helm of every course. Online features for this degree include academic and career advising, 24/7 technical support, office hours, an online bookstore, and an online bookshop.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $550
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 6
6. Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Some of the best online programs available near Tulsa, Oklahoma, comes from Oklahoma State University. This school offers over 25 undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees; certificates are also available to students who are interested in complementing their education. Fields of study include industrial engineering and management, family financial planning, nursing, and business administration. Most programs are conferred 100 percent online although some may come with residency requirements. Along with small class sizes and affordable tuition, this is a great school for students who are ready to complete their education. Online features for this school include academic and career advising, 24/7 technical support, smartphone and tablet apps for the online portal, office hours, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $439.30
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 7
5. Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oral Roberts University will provide students with the chance to complete an online degree in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This school has its own online welcome page and provides students with the chance to take on undergraduate or graduate coursework. There are nine degrees available, with more announced for the future. Fields of study include financial management, historical and philosophical theology, digital communication, and human resource management. Certificates and endorsements are also available. Students will have the option to complete asynchronous or synchronous courses, dabble in summer sessions, and more. Online features for this school include academic and career advising, 24/7 technical support, smartphone and tablet apps for the online portal, tutoring services, professor office hours, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $385
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 7
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Finding online degrees at Oklahoma Wesleyan University isn’t too hard of a task. This university delivers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree online for students who don’t live close to campus. Fields of study include nursing, psychology, business administration, and strategic leadership. Adult learners will thrive in this program because it is set up to only take one course at a time. Students will also have the option to take their degree completely online and with on-demand courses. This school also provides students with a dedicated online staff and faculty to provide them with the additional support that online students need. Online features for this school include academic advising, an online career center, 24/7 technical support, office hours, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $430
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 8
3. Rogers State University
Claremore, Oklahoma
Rogers State University offers students the chance to complete a 100 percent online degree near Tulsa, Oklahoma. This school offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees to students who are ready to move forward with their education. Fields of study include organizational leadership, English, applied technology, and business administration. Courses are held asynchronously and synchronously through the school’s learning management system. The schedule is flexible enough to fit into any working professional’s life so that they can complete all of their goals without sacrificing one for the sake of time. Online options for this degree include 24/7 technical support, academic advising, professor office hours, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Associate’s, Bachelor’s
Cost per credit hour: $244
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 8
2. Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
There is a great program of online degrees at Northeastern State University. Students can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree 100 percent online; accelerated options are also available to students. Fields of study include nursing, organizational leadership, criminal justice, and more. Non-degree seeking students can also find courses as well as professional development programs that may be helpful to them in their careers. This school has a dedicated online staff, meaning that students will always be able to get the help that they require for their education. Online features for this program include academic and career advising, 24/7 technical support, smartphone and tablet apps for the online portal, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $221.65
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 8
1. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is a great starting point for students who want to earn an online degree near Tulsa, Oklahoma. This school offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees to students who are interested in the information technologies field. Students will find that all courses are delivered asynchronously, so there are no set times for them to interact with their coursework. However, students will still benefit from individualized attention in the form of one-on-one communications with the instructor. This school is committed to providing students with the education they need to thrive in their career, so they have enlisted an online staff dedicated to seeing students through to graduation. Online features for this degree include 24/7 technical support, academic advising, smartphone and tablet apps for the online portal, an online bookstore, and an online library.
Types of Degrees Available:
Associate’s, Bachelor’s
Cost per credit hour: $185
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Total Points: 9
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for an Online Degree?
Students who complete an online degree will have just about every career option available to them. From nursing and engineering to computer science and teaching, everything is possible with an online degree. The only limit to this is how far a professional will go to reach the heights of their career.
There are, however, some careers that are not open to online-only students. These include the medical and law professions. This is because these careers require intensive hands-on training at a school with state-of-the-art facilities. Students can still get their undergraduate degrees online, but their specialist degrees must be earned on a college or university campus.
Why Do Some Online Programs Only Take In-State Students?
Schools in America can choose to take out-of-state online students at the same tuition rate for in-state students as well as provide comparable education in the case of licensure and qualification requirements. Doing so will give the school claim to being a part of SARA, the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. This agreement lets out-of-state students know that they will be able to earn a quality education at that college or university.
However, some state licensing boards will prohibit a student sitting for licensure in that state if they have received an online education elsewhere. These schools are not eligible for SARA in this case and therefore restrict those programs to in-state students. They also make this information clear on the admissions page or in the overview for the online program.
If a student lives in a state in which the state board requires an online degree from within the state for licensure or qualification, then the student must adhere to that or risk having to complete a separate degree for licensure. Alternatively, students who have plans to move to the state in which they want to earn a degree may not apply for the program until they have taken residence in the state.
How Do Field Experiences Work for Online Students?
Field experiences work much the same way for online students as it does for on-campus students. A student must review the requirements for the experience, undertake the experience, and successfully complete it.
However, there are a few differences, mainly in how a student goes about securing their field experience. Since online students complete their field experience in their community, they may have to do extra work to find a suitable placement. Campus students may not have to work that hard since the school already has relationships that help them place students in the correct environments.
Additionally, students will have to find a suitable proctor to serve as a supervisor during the experience. This proctor must be approved by the school prior to the experience taking place. Schools tend to be very flexible on proctors and most working professionals may find that a proctor at their current workplace may work just fine.
Are Online Students Less Accepted in the Workplace?
N0. Online students and working professionals are accepted in the workplace. They are hard-working, self-motivated individuals who were dedicated to their goal and reached it. Employers are also huge fans of online students because they choose to continue to work while earning their degree.
Working professionals who learn online are seen as dependable and consistent workers. They are dedicated to a schedule and work hard to maintain harmony in their professional, personal, and educational lives. They are seen to have a drive that other professionals do not have and that makes them interesting to most employers.
Online education is also becoming mainstream, so any stigma that has surrounded online education no longer exists. Students can choose to study how and when they want to; all that matters is that they have successfully completed the degree and are looking forward to the future.
Is it Possible to Earn an Online Dual Degree?
Yes, it is possible to earn an online dual degree. However, the kind of dual degree will depend on the school and its online offerings. Students may have to do some research to figure out what types of options are available to them.
Online dual degrees are most commonly found at the graduate level. The combination of a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health is a popular combination, although taking two business degrees is very common. It is also possible to complete two degrees in engineering or computer science; this requires a great deal of work and should be approached with dedication.
Not every school will allow an online student to take on a dual degree. This could be for several reasons, but the most common is that the school simply doesn’t have two degrees that would be good for a dual program. Another reason is that the school may not be set up to confer online dual degrees.
Students may also opt for independent study as a way to earn an online dual degree. Independent study is a rigorous road, but it can lead to students combining their two fields into an interesting look forward to their career. Independent study is also a great way to work with an academic advisor to ensure that the goals for both degrees are being met.
Is Regional Accreditation Necessary for an Online Degree?
No, regional accreditation is not necessary for an online degree. However, it is an important marker of a school and the quality of its education. Students may find that accredited degrees may also help them in their job search or when applying for graduate programs.
Regional accreditation is a distinction that says the school that has earned that honor is of high quality and meets the standards set forth by the United States of America Department of Education. It is a way to distinguish schools that are applying for professional accreditation and top-tier status. In fact, all of the top schools in America have regional accreditation.
Regional accreditation helps students in another way. Accredited degrees are preferred by employers, especially those in the business, STEM, and medical fields. An accredited degree leads to the option to sit for licensure or certification, meaning that a student has proven they can be held to a high standard. The degree also serves as an understanding that the employee has been taught industry standards, making them ready to jump right into work after graduation.
Earning a regionally accredited degree can help students who are not quite done with their education. Many professional graduate and doctorate degree programs will only take students who have completed an accredited degree. This is to ensure that all students are held to the same standard and, in many cases, is required because the student must have licensure or certification, which is earned through an accredited degree, in order to enter the field.
Online degrees are a great option for working professionals and busy adults. By eliminating the need for a daily commute to campus, students from all over the country can now apply to the best schools in the country. With this list of the best schools for an online degree in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in hand, students can begin plotting out their educational journey.
This concludes our ranking of the Top Colleges for an Online Degree Near Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sources:
- National Center for Education Statistics
- School Websites