Southeastern Remains Among Nation's Most Affordable Universities
Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to be among the nation’s most affordable universities.
According to the U.S. News & World Report's 2009 edition of “America's Best Colleges,” Southeastern ranks second in the West geographic region in the Universities – Master’s category for the least debt loads by students from the class of 2007. Southeastern is also second in the nation in ‘’average amount of debt.’’
“This recognition demonstrates Southeastern’s commitment to providing a quality higher education at an affordable cost,’’ said Southeastern president Michael D. Turner. “Our scholarship programs and other financial aid opportunities will continue to be a top priority at the University.’’
Approximately 76 percent of current Southeastern students receive some type of financial aid.
The magazine defines the category “Universities – Master’s’’ as institutions that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs, but offer few, if any, doctoral programs.
As the magazine notes:
“Many undergraduates leave college weighed down by debt. U.S. News has compiled a list of the schools whose students in the class of 2007 graduated with the heaviest and lightest debt loads. The data include loans taken out by students from colleges, from private financial institutions, and from federal, state, and local governments. Parents’ loans are not included. Also included for each college is the “average amount of debt” – the average cumulative amount borrowed by those students who incurred debt, not the average for all students.’’
According to this criteria, only 37 percent of Southeastern’s 2007 graduates had any debt, and the average amount of those with debt was $6,852.