When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in Oklahoma ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
We analyzed 19 colleges and universities across Oklahoma to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Better Early-Career Average Salaries
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. Recent students who earned a associate degree in Oklahoma entered the job market making an average of $36,377 while those in the top 16 schools on our list made an average of $40,834.
Starting Salary ( 32654 to 48792 )
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
When attending a school in Oklahoma, associate degree students accumulate an average of $19,068 in student debt before graduation.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. Also, check out our other college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Our analysis found University of Central Oklahoma to be the best school for associate degrees in Oklahoma in this year’s ranking. UCO is located in Edmond, Oklahoma and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Out of the 19 associate degree schools in Oklahoma that were part of this year’s ranking, Oklahoma City Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the fairly large public school handed out 1,856 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from OCCC is $35,098 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,239.
Out of the 19 associate degree schools in Oklahoma that were part of this year’s ranking, Oklahoma Wesleyan University landed the #3 spot on the list. Bartlesville, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from OKWU or OWU is $31,260 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $22,629 in student loans.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma list. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is a small public school located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma that handed out 614 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from OSU Institute of Technology make an average of $45,179 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,831 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $256 for a 10-year repayment plan.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tulsa Community College. The school came in at #5 in Oklahoma on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the fairly large public school handed out 2,577 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Tulsa Community College go into careers with an average salary of $35,249 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,427 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #6, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma list. OSU-OKC is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 821 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,259 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $20,355 after getting their degree.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Weatherford, Oklahoma, the small public school handed out 117 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from SWOSU make an average of $44,702 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $17,229.
Rose State College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking. RSC is a public institution located in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 781 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from RSC make an average of $43,105 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,393 in student loans.
Connors State College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking, coming in at #9. CSC is located in Warner, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 373 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from CSC make an average of $56,867 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $14,826 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #10, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma list. Located in Miami, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 426 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from NEO A&M College make an average of $43,864 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $16,328 in student loans.
With a ranking of #11, Murray State College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma list. Located in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, the small public school handed out 391 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Murray State College make an average of $44,761 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,195 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #12, Rogers State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma list. Located in Claremore, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 146 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from RSU make an average of $56,108 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $24,000 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #13, Carl Albert State College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma list. Located in Poteau, Oklahoma, the small public school handed out 322 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Carl Albert State College go into careers with an average salary of $30,629 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,858.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking. OPSU is located in Goodwell, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,825 in student loans.
Northern Oklahoma College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 606 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $28,818 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,271 after getting their degree.
Seminole State College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma list. Seminole State College is located in Seminole, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 325 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Seminole State College is $39,395 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,164 in student loans.
Western Oklahoma State College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking, coming in at #17. This small public school is located in Altus, Oklahoma, and it awarded 250 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Western is $36,868 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,986 after getting their degree.
Cameron University landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking. Cameron University is a small public school situated in Lawton, Oklahoma. It awarded 210 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $22,388.
Eastern Oklahoma State College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Oklahoma ranking. This small public school is located in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and it awarded 222 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Eastern make an average of $40,188 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $19,094.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.