Oklahoma has 43 colleges and universities spread across the state with some offering branches in more than one location. There are many things to consider when choosing your college besides whether you like the football team or where your best friend is going.

Things like location, number of students enrolled, ethnic diversity and personality of a school should all be considered. If you grew up in a very small town, going to school in the middle of a big city may seem overwhelming or exhilarating. Only you know what will be right for you.

Your choice of career and major should also be considered. Some schools have programs tailored to different careers and can better prepare you for your chosen career. Not all careers require a four-year degree; you may be able to reach your goal with an associate degree from a community college or a technical school.

Compare the costs here.

Career Technology Centers

Oklahoma has more than 56 career and technology centers. These centers offer job skills training for Oklahomans from junior high on up to senior citizens. Examples include: Francis Tuttle, Gordon Cooper and Tulsa Technology Centers.

Community Colleges

These schools grant students associate degrees that can be a final degree or be transferred to a four-year university for degree completion. Community colleges have lower admission requirements and lower tuition costs making them a good starting point for many students. Examples include: Oklahoma City Community College, Rose State College, Tulsa Community College and Redlands Community College.

Private Colleges

Oklahoma also has a number of excellent private colleges to choose from that offer two- and four-year degrees. Examples include: Oklahoma Baptist University, University of Tulsa and Oklahoma City University.

Regional University

These schools offer both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a wide range of concentrations and tend to be smaller campuses located across the state. Examples include: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Northeastern State University, Cameron University and Langston University.

Research University

These are four-year schools that grant bachelor’s, master's, graduate and professional degrees (medicine and law). The campuses are typically large with enrollments of more than 20,000 students. Along with instruction, these schools also engage in research across disciplines. Oklahoma’s research universities are Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma.

Technical Branch

These schools have a special emphasis on education and training in technical fields. Some technical branches offer academic courses and programs, but not all institutions offer two-year programs that lead to an associate degree. Oklahoma's two technical branches are branches of Oklahoma State University located in Oklahoma City and Okmulgee.

For a complete list of Oklahoma's colleges and universities, go to www.okhighered.org.