Oklahoma lawmakers are taking a closer look at the competition Oklahoma colleges face from colleges in neighboring states.

 

 Led by Republican Representative Rick West of Heavener, the House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee this week examined how Oklahoma colleges and universities can maintain a competitive edge against institutions from outside the state. West stated that, in many cases, the choice comes down to affordability.

 

A 2022 study showed that about 6% of Oklahoma students choose to attend an out-of-state school. Of those, 26% choose to pursue their college education in Kansas.

 

Lawmakers proposed several suggestions to help keep Oklahoma students at Oklahoma schools. Those include allowing greater flexibility to waive tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students, increasing operational funding to limit tuition and fee increases, increasing marketing funding, and expanding the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship tax credit to Oklahoma higher education institutions.