There are 192,656 students enrolled in Oklahoma colleges. Although enrollment has declined by 16.4% since 2010, enrollment has increased by 109.3% since 1970.
Oklahoma’s high school graduation rate is fairly high, with 88.0% of Oklahoma residents being high school graduates or higher by the time they’re 25, which is the same as the national percentage of high school graduates. While the graduation rate for high school seniors in Oklahoma matches national numbers, the number of college graduates is much lower. Only 25.5% of people in Oklahoma have a bachelor’s degree or higher by 25 years old, compared to 60% of students nationally. Although academically promising Oklahoma students may go to college, the average graduation rate is 54.37%.
Many students remain in Oklahoma for college. 77.1% of students enrolled in Oklahoma colleges are state residents. Additionally, a majority of students in Oklahoma attend public colleges. 81.6% of bachelor’s degree recipients graduate from public institutions.
Top 10 Scholarships for Oklahoma Students
- Commander Estabrook Memorial Scholarship: Aims to help an undergraduate student currently enrolled in an ROTC program or a high school senior who is a JROTC cadet in Oklahoma. Students with community service or volunteering experience may apply.
- Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship: Open to high school students with strong academic records and community involvement.
- Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship: A fun, creative scholarship for students of all levels.
- “A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship: Easy application process with no essay required.
- #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship: Helps students reduce their student loan debt with a simple application.
- “Equal Opportunity” Scholarship: Supports high school students with a commitment to equality and justice.
- Grandmaster Nam K Hyong Scholarship: Open to high school freshmen with exceptional leadership skills.
- Sammy Ochoa Memorial Scholarship: For high school seniors preparing for college.
- Taylor Ibarrondo Memorial Scholarship: Supports high school seniors with strong academic and extracurricular records.
- William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship: Open to current college students in Oklahoma with financial need.
Colleges in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is home to a mix of public and private colleges and universities.
78.0% of enrolled students attend public institutions. The University of Oklahoma is one of the largest public schools in Oklahoma, with 21,383 students. Another great public college is Oklahoma State University, which has 20,307 students. There are other public institutions as well, including Oklahoma City University.
In terms of private institutions, the University of Tulsa is a great private college with about 2,929 students. There are also plenty of Christian colleges like Oklahoma Baptist University, and there is one HBCU called Langston University that Oklahoma students can attend.
Although there are plenty of amazing schools in the state of Oklahoma, there are also plenty of schools across the United States to get an undergraduate degree. Among Oklahoma residents enrolled in college, 13.5% leave the state to attend school. Whatever degree program you choose or what identity you have, there is a school out there for you.
Oklahoma College Demographics
In Oklahoma colleges and universities, 42.75% of students are male and 57.25% are female. This matches national averages, in which women make up 59.5% of students in higher education in the US.
In terms of racial and ethnic diversity, there are 117,836 Caucasian, 16,514 Black/African American, 6,519 Asian, and 23,426 Hispanic students in Oklahoma colleges. While white students make up a large majority of students in Oklahoma, Hispanic students also make up a large percentage of college students. While Hispanic students make up 11% of the total population in Oklahoma, 12% of college students in Oklahoma are Hispanic.
Oklahoma Students and Student Debt
For the academic year 2020-2021, the average tuition and fees were $4,573 for in-state students and $12,062 for out-of-state students. The University of Tulsa has the most expensive tuition and fees at $43,450.
With rising tuition rates, many students turn to student loans to afford college. 12.1% of state residents have student loan debt, which is just slightly lower than the national average of 12.9%. The average student loan debt in Oklahoma is $31,832. While this may depend on whether the student gets a graduate degree or what school the students attend, debt should not deter any student from attending their dream college or university.
While student loan debt is a huge concern for college students in Oklahoma, there are plenty of ways that students can attend eligible colleges for up to four years without student loan debt. Federal student aid and private grants and scholarships can be extremely helpful for tuition costs.
Additional Scholarships that Students in Oklahoma Should Consider
In addition to specific scholarships for Oklahoma residents, there are also plenty of other scholarships that could be helpful.
- @ESPDaniella Debt Grant
- Tyde Memorial Scholarship
- Juno Better Rates No-Essay Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Students in Oklahoma
High school is a great time to start applying for scholarship opportunities. The earlier you begin your search, the more time you’ll have to earn the financial aid you’ll need to finance your college or university expenses.
- Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship
- Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship
- “A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship
- #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Freshmen in Oklahoma
Freshman year of high school is typically the least overwhelming since many students haven’t yet started taking AP classes, standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, or working on college applications. You can take advantage of this extra time by getting ahead of the game and beginning to apply for scholarships.
- “Equal Opportunity” Scholarship
- Grandmaster Nam K Hyong Scholarship
- Tyde Memorial Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Sophomores in Oklahoma
By sophomore year, your school responsibilities may be increasing. However, applying for scholarships can still be a valuable investment in your future. The more scholarships you earn while in high school, the less you’ll have to stress about your finances once you’re in college.
- #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship
- Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship
- “A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Juniors in Oklahoma
Some high school scholarships are limited to upperclassmen, including juniors and seniors. Many students begin thinking more seriously about college in their junior year, so this can be a great time to get an idea of what college you’d like to attend and how much funding you’ll need.
- “Equal Opportunity” Scholarship
- Tyde Memorial Scholarship
- “A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Seniors in Oklahoma
Many high school scholarships are created specifically for high school seniors who are preparing for college. You can take advantage of the following scholarship awards to prepare for the upcoming costs of your college education.
- Sammy Ochoa Memorial Scholarship
- Taylor Ibarrondo Memorial Scholarship
- #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship
Scholarships for Current College Students in Oklahoma
Don’t worry if you’re in college and just starting your scholarship search. There are scholarships in Oklahoma for all levels of students, with plenty of options for college students. You can get started by clicking on any of the following scholarship awards!
- Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship
- Finesse Your Education’s “The College Burnout” Scholarship
- Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship
- “A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship
- #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship
- William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship
- The Final Push Scholarship
Scholarships for Women in Oklahoma
Women still face a unique set of challenges when pursuing education and their careers. Luckily, many scholarships are exclusively open to women, such as the ones below. Scholarships for women are also a great choice because the applicant pool will automatically be reduced since applicants must be female-identifying.
- Paybotic Women in Finance and Technology Scholarship
- Women’s History Scholarship
- Lillian’s & Ruby’s Way Scholarship
- “Fight for Equality” Women in STEM Scholarship
Scholarships for Single Moms in Oklahoma
Single moms can also benefit from the above scholarships for women, but there are also separate scholarship awards for single parents. Single moms and dads often struggle to complete their education due to a lack of parenting resources in college, so the following scholarships aim to make college more accessible to single moms.
- REVIVAL Scholarship
- Saroya Byrd Legacy Scholarship
- Larry Darnell Green Scholarship
- Law Family Single Parent Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma Scholarships
How can I apply for Oklahoma scholarships?
It only takes a few easy steps for students interested in financial aid to begin applying for Oklahoma scholarships! Start by creating your free profile on a scholarship platform.
By clicking on any of the listed scholarships, you can create an account and unlock financial resources. From there, you can begin browsing hundreds of exclusive scholarships offered and bookmark any scholarships of interest that you come across.
There are plenty of scholarship opportunities for eligible applicants in Oklahoma, whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. It’s never too late to start taking charge of your financial aid and get on the path toward a college degree.
Once you’ve decided on the scholarships that are best for you, begin applying. The scholarship application process is set up specifically to make applying as easy as possible, and each scholarship description will state what applicants must do to enter. This way, you can apply for more Oklahoma scholarships and maximize your winnings with as little effort as possible.
Are there Oklahoma scholarships for out-of-state students?
Yes, there are plenty of scholarships for out-of-state students in Oklahoma. While many scholarships ask that applicants be from a certain location, out-of-state students can find scholarship support that can help them through any academic year. Many scholarships are open for general audiences, which can help out-of-state students fund their college education.
When can I start applying?
You can start applying for scholarships as early as the beginning of high school. While many scholarships are not available until students are high school seniors, there are plenty of scholarships that can help Oklahoma students fund their education.
How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?
The eligibility requirements are always included in the scholarship descriptions. While a scholarship award may only be for certain eligible students, there are plenty of more general scholarships that anyone can apply to.
Are scholarships counted as income?
Any scholarship money earned is sent directly to the college you are attending and therefore is not considered to be taxable income. If you are a high school student, the scholarship platform will hold your scholarship money in an account until enrollment.
In conclusion, Oklahoma offers a variety of scholarships to help students manage the high costs of college. By applying to both general and exclusive scholarships, Oklahoma residents can increase their chances of receiving financial aid and reduce their reliance on student loans.