Affordable College for Tri County Tech

OKWU Partnership Campus Affordable college

Kim Archer | Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise | Published July 12, 2021

Photo by Andy Dossett | Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

Tri County Tech and OWKU Partner to Provide Affordable College Tuition

Oklahoma Wesleyan University is expanding its effort to make a college degree more attainable and affordable for students who attend Tri County Tech.

The university is offering a 50% tuition* scholarship to students and employees of Tri County Tech to earn either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree through the Graduate & Professional Studies department, said Courtney Roberts, the Department’s Director of Enrollment Services, Academic Advising, and Operations.

Tri County Tech employees have the additional option to apply the scholarship to a master’s degree program.

“Tri County Tech provides a great education and we want to help their graduates take that education to the next level. Partnering with TCT with an agreement like this benefits both institutions, but it also greatly benefits the citizens of Bartlesville and surrounding areas because it opens up doors for more educational opportunities.”

Courtney Roberts | OKWU Director of Enrollment Services

The scholarship will be applied to core courses of the chosen degree program only, but Roberts said it is still a large cost-savings, particularly since the two schools have an articulation agreement that allows students to transfer up to 30 block credits earned at TCT to OKWU and use them toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

“Tri County Tech is excited for the increased educational opportunities this provides their students and employees. You just can’t beat it if you want a college education.”

Tosha Wyatt | Tri County Tech Director of Marketing

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a person with an associate’s degree can earn $6,000 more a year on average than those with just a high school diploma. People with a bachelor’s degree can increase their yearly pay by around $24,000 on average.

“So many times potential students look at the original sticker price of college and think it’s unattainable without thinking of what education could do for them in the future. As a nonprofit, our goal is not to make money but to help educate future leaders. Through an agreement like this, we hope potential students see that is why we are here.”

Courtney Roberts | OKWU Director of Enrollment Services

The university has had an articulation agreement with Tri County Tech for at least a decade. Articulation agreements have become common as a way to provide a more educated workforce for area businesses and to increase employee salaries.

To read the original article, visit Examiner-Enterprise.com.

*Fifty percent off tuition discount is applied to core classes only. Please contact Oklahoma Wesleyan University for further restrictions or requirements.