Chad Wiginton, Ed.D - President | Western Oklahoma State College
Chad Wiginton, Ed.D - President | Western Oklahoma State College
Data shows that students paid $5,542 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $230 more than the previous school year.
Among the two institutions in the county, Western Oklahoma State College stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $5,973. Southwest Technology Center followed with an average of $3,803 per year.
At the time, a total of $1.8 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Jackson County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $123,477.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Oklahoma State College | 210 | $1,451,777 | $6,913 | 29 | $123,477 | $4,258 |
| Southwest Technology Center | 90 | $394,948 | $4,388 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
Alerts Sign-up