Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma 2024
Find the best online associate degrees in Oklahoma ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.
Top Online Associate Degree Programs in Oklahoma
- Bacone College
- Cameron University
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Rogers State University
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University
- Tulsa Community College
- Western Oklahoma State College
- Rose State College
- Murray State College
- Carl Albert State College
- Bacone College
- Cameron University
- Rogers State University
- Rose State College
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Murray State College
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University
- Western Oklahoma State College
- Tulsa Community College
- Carl Albert State College
- Carl Albert State College 25 to 1
- Western Oklahoma State College 20 to 1
- Rose State College 19 to 1
- Tulsa Community College 19 to 1
- Cameron University 17 to 1
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University 17 to 1
- Rogers State University 16 to 1
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University 15 to 1
- Murray State College 15 to 1
- Bacone College 15 to 1
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University $30,262
- Mid-America Christian University $18,838
- Bacone College $15,060
- Cameron University $5,025
- Murray State College $4,830
- Rogers State University $4,536
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University $3,840
- Rose State College $3,778
- Carl Albert State College $3,000
- Western Oklahoma State College $2,996
- Mid-America Christian University $14,485
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University $9,900
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University $5,520
- Rogers State University $4,316
- Cameron University $3,762
- Mid-America Christian University
- Carl Albert State College
- Murray State College
- Rose State College
- Western Oklahoma State College
- Tulsa Community College
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University
- Rogers State University
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Cameron University
- Mid-America Christian University
- Carl Albert State College
- Tulsa Community College
- Western Oklahoma State College
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University
- Murray State College
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Rose State College
- Rogers State University
- Cameron University
- Mid-America Christian University 13 to 1
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University 15 to 1
- Murray State College 15 to 1
- Bacone College 15 to 1
- Rogers State University 16 to 1
- Cameron University 17 to 1
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University 17 to 1
- Rose State College 19 to 1
- Tulsa Community College 19 to 1
- Western Oklahoma State College 20 to 1
- Tulsa Community College $2,797
- Western Oklahoma State College $2,996
- Carl Albert State College $3,000
- Rose State College $3,778
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University $3,840
- Rogers State University $4,536
- Murray State College $4,830
- Cameron University $5,025
- Bacone College $15,060
- Mid-America Christian University $18,838
- Cameron University $3,762
- Rogers State University $4,316
- Oklahoma Panhandle State University $5,520
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University $9,900
- Mid-America Christian University $14,485
Featured Programs
Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma
Less than half of the schools in Oklahoma are private schools. However, students who attend one these schools can expect a more intimate college experience, as each has a student population smaller than 4,000 students. The largest private school, the University of Tulsa, offers degrees in fields like education, criminal justice, and literature, with tuition fees around $41,000. The public schools tend to be more cost-friendly, with tuition ranging from $4,000 to $9,000 per year.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
The University of Oklahoma, the state’s largest public school, costs about $9,000 and serves over 24,000 students. Here, students can partake in competitive on-campus programs in fields like communications and social work, or pursue one of the 30 graduate degrees and certificates online. Oklahoma is also home to several religiously affiliated schools, like Oral Roberts University and Bacone College. Students hoping to pursue a career as a physician, physician’s assistant, or dentist may also want to consider earning their degree here as the state offers several loan forgiveness programs to those who qualify.
The state of Oklahoma is serious about its food - so serious they even declared an official state meal, which consists of fried okra, cornbread, barbecue pork, squash, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken fried steak, black-eyed peas, and pecan pie. Those hoping to feed both their bellies and their minds can attend one of Oklahoma’s more than 40 colleges and universities.
To learn more about earning your degree in Oklahoma, check out some of the state’s top programs.
What are Oklahoma’s Colleges & Universities?
- 4 Research Universities
- 22 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 6 Graduate Schools
- 15 Public Colleges & Universities
- 11 Private Colleges & Universities
- 11 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 22 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 19 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 12 Community Colleges
- 18 Online Colleges
Oklahoma’s Best Overall
What is an Associate Degree?
An associate degree is a two-year degree that can be earned at state community colleges, vocational schools, and most accredited colleges and universities.
What will I study with an associate degree?
The associate degree provides an introductory level college education. You will usually take an array of liberal arts or humanities courses along with introductory level courses in a specific subject area. Most associate degree programs are available to both on campus students and online students.
Why get an associate degree?
There are several good reasons to get an associate degree. An associate degree is an affordable and accessible way to get a college education while improving your earning potential. The associate degree is popular both among students looking for entry-level work in their field, and for those who are already working.
The online degree is particularly popular at the associate level because so many students must balance work responsibilities and studies. Online courses and complete online programs make it possible for students to earn associate credits and degrees without disrupting daily work responsibilities.
The associate is also a far more affordable and accessible alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree takes about half as long to earn as a bachelor’s degree. Associate students need 60 credits to graduate, versus the 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree. And many state community colleges offer low tuition rates.
Can I get a job with an associate degree?
You can get an entry-level job in your field with an associate degree. Many students will use the associate degree as a way to get relevant job training before entering the job market. In fact, many associates will pursue entry level work in their field while earning a bachelor’s degree through online education.
Should I get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree?
You may want to get an associate degree first to save money, or improve your admission chances, before getting a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree is a popular stepping stone for students who will seek a bachelor’s degree. When you earn an associate degree from an accredited state community college, you can usually transfer your credits toward your bachelor’s degree program.
Can I get an online degree at the associate level?
You can definitely get an online degree at the associate level. A growing number of online colleges offer high-quality associate-level online courses and complete online programs. Online students will typically take the same courses and curricula as on campus students.
Are associate degrees from online colleges respected?
Online degrees at the associate level are respected as long as these online degrees come from accredited community colleges or two-year schools. Regional accreditation is important when it comes to online colleges. If you plan to go into a bachelor’s degree program at a regionally accredited school, you must earn your online degree from a regionally accredited associate degree program.
If you need more answers to frequently asked questions about online degrees, we can help.
Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma 2023
- #6 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #6 Best Christian Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #9 Cheapest Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$15K
Graduation
8%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Bacone College
Cost of Degree: $15,060Expenses: $16,350Starting Salary: $37,000Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AAS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Child Development
- Required Credits: 65
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #9 Best Public Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #10 Cheapest Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #4 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024 #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
25%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Cameron University
Cost of Degree: $6,705Expenses: $12,935Starting Salary: $38,200Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AS in Business
- Required Credits: 69
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Strategic Communication
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #7 Best Christian Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma #13 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
34%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/19
Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $30,262Expenses: $13,868Starting Salary: $53,500Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AAS in Technical Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Christian Ministry
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Church Planting
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in General Studies
Concentrations
- STEP Program
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Wesleyan Ministry
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Oklahoma #5 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma #11 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
25%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Rogers State University
Cost of Degree: $7,252Expenses: $16,792Starting Salary: $39,300Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Applied Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #12 Best Online Bachelor’s in Agribusiness and Agriculture Degree Programs #17 Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
22%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Cost of Degree: $7,634Expenses: $7,219Starting Salary: $40,800Cost Recoup Time: 5 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 36
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #14 Best Online Associate in Sociology #17 Best Online Associate in Political Science #25 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
24%
Student body
20K
Career Outlook for degree at Tulsa Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,541Starting Salary: $36,900Online Associate Degrees
AS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Marketing
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Information Systems
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AAS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in History
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Mathematics
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
34%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Western Oklahoma State College
Cost of Degree: $5,250Expenses: $13,645Starting Salary: $35,400Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Early Childhood
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Agriculture Sciences
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 60-66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #25 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management #25 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity #25 Best Online Associate in Business Management
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
21%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Rose State College
Cost of Degree: $5,010Expenses: $15,632Starting Salary: $36,300Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AS in Business
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in English
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #6 Best Online Associate in History Degrees #9 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism #19 Best Online Associate in Sociology
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
31%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Murray State College
Cost of Degree: $6,630Expenses: $13,080Starting Salary: $35,700Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AA/AS in Enterprise Development
Concentrations
- Business Administration
- General Studies
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Business
Concentrations
- Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 64-65
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 62-64
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Arts and Sciences
Concentrations
- English
- History
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Behavioral Science
Concentrations
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #10 Best Community Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #12 Best Online Associate in History Degrees #12 Best Online Associate in Political Science #18 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
44%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Carl Albert State College
Cost of Degree: $4,230Expenses: $10,058Starting Salary: $30,900Cost Recoup Time: 6 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AA in Enterprise Development
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AS in Enterprise Development
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 62
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Occupational Health and Safety
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Computer Technology
- Required Credits: 61
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Pre-Law Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 62-67
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA/AAS in Child Development
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in General Studies
- Required Credits: 63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in History and Political Science
- Required Credits: 62-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Health - Physical Education and Recreation
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Sociology and Psychology
- Required Credits: 62-64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Oklahoma #16 Best Online Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Tuition + fees
$19K
Graduation
39%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Mid-America Christian University
Cost of Degree: $18,838Expenses: $13,252Starting Salary: $44,700Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Associate Degrees
AA in General Studies
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Oklahoma is just one of many states offering excellent online associate’s degrees. To check out our rankings, look into the best online associate’s degrees in Florida, South Dakota, New Jersey, and more!
Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions
If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.
No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?
If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.
In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.
Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.
Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.
As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.
In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.
Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.
If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).
While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.
The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.
Resources for Online College-Bound Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.