City: Claremore, OK

Category: Education

Telephone: (918) 343-7777 (800) 256-7511

Address: 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

Description: This is the closest thing Tulsa has to a residential public university—and Claremore isn’t that far away. Rogers State, a four-year regional college, served just over 4,000 students in 2008. It is the first public university in Oklahoma to offer bachelor’s and associate’s degrees completely on the Internet.RSU was founded in 1909 as Eastern University Preparatory School; it closed in 1917. The facility reopened in 1919 as Oklahoma Military Academy and in 1971 became Claremore Junior College. In 1982 the name was changed to Rogers State College, and in 1998 it became Rogers State University. The campus, right across the street from the Will Rogers Memorial, is large and attractive. Almost all the buildings, with the exceptions of the historic, gold-domed Preparatory Hall and the decidedly art deco Auditorium, are red brick with white trim. A wildlife area abuts the campus, a good resource for the biological sciences department, but it also provides hiking and fishing spots for the community.Associate’s degrees are awarded in accounting, applied technology, business administration, biological science, computer science, criminal justice, elementary education, emergency medical services, legal assisting, liberal arts, nursing, physical science, secondary education, and social sciences. Undergraduate programs include applied technology, biology, business administration, business information technology, communications, community counseling, elementary education, game development, justice administration, liberal arts, social science, sport management, and visual arts.Athletic programs include basketball, baseball, softball, rodeo, golf, soccer, and cheerleading. Several programs offer interesting off-campus study opportunities—the Washington Center Internship Program grants college credit for specific internship experiences in Washington, D.C., and international study.Being a residential school, many extracurricular and student activities are offered. The Greek system is small—two sororities and one fraternity. Intramural sports give students a chance to play and compete, and student clubs and associations provide opportunities to join with others in common interests. Basic tuition for 2009 was $2,700.