Odessa College

Yes, OC is online and offers two dozen associate degree programs and job-readiness programs students can complete remotely. According to NCES, about 44% of OC’s student body participates in online-only education. OC’s online associate degrees are primarily in the humanities and liberal arts, while its online non-degree granting programs help students train for jobs in healthcare, business, and criminal justice.

Examples of online associate degrees include secondary and all-level art, psychology, English, and child development.

Many consider OC a good school. We rank it #4 for our list of the Best Online Community Colleges in Texas. College Scorecard data shows that the annual average cost to attend is about 23% less than average for all two-year schools, and the median earning for graduates is $41,093, higher than average.

OC also has a favorable institutional accreditation status. OC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees, and certificates. This accreditation status signifies that SCASCOC finds OC's financial practices sound and its academic programming meets federal quality standards. OC is programmatically accredited by five industry-specific agencies for its healthcare programs. 

To provide the most trustworthy results, OnlineU only includes accredited online institutions on its site. 

OC is known for the scholarships it awards students through the Odessa College Foundation. Qualified students can choose from over 50 scholarships depending on enrollment status, financial need, GPA, majors, and career goals. OC awards approximately $8 million in scholarships and state and federal student aid. 

Additionally, 88% of OC employees donate to its Student Success Scholarship annually. Students who receive a Student Success Scholarship must maintain a satisfactory GPA and complete community service hours.

College Scorecard data shows that OC’s associate degrees in quality control and safety technologies, electrical/electronics maintenance and repair technology, and registered nursing provide the highest earnings for graduates, ranging from approximately $63,948 to $81,630 annually. However, these degrees aren’t available online.

Similar options may include online criminal justice and criminal justice leadership non-degree granting programs. An online associate degree in biology may help students interested in healthcare careers similar to, or leading up to, nursing.

According to College Scorecard, OC has a 100% acceptance rate due to its open admission policy. An open admission policy helps level the playing field and makes applying less competitive because it means students don’t have to take entrance exams or have high GPAs to apply. (However, students may be required to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment before enrolling.)

Since OC has an open admission policy, it doesn’t appear to have a minimum GPA requirement. However, you should always consider your previous academic performance when choosing a college — the more competitive the college, the higher the minimum GPA requirement, generally.

Although individual degree programs may have additional requirements, OC admission requirements for first-year students are straightforward:

• An application
• A $50 application fee
• Official high school transcripts or GED
• Official college transcripts, if transferring credits
• Official military transcripts, if applicable
• Proof of residency, if living in Texas, to determine cost per credit
• Proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccination if under 22

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