Rose State College: A Comprehensive Overview

Rose State College, located in Midwest City, Oklahoma, is a public community college offering comprehensive lower-division programs of higher education and related community services. The college plays a vital role in the educational landscape of the region, serving a diverse student body, including military personnel from nearby Tinker Air Force Base.

History and Establishment

Originally named Oscar Rose Junior College in memory of Oscar V. Rose, a former superintendent of the Mid-Del School District, Rose State College offered its first classes on September 21, 1970. The establishment of the college district was approved by voters in Midwest City, Del City, and portions of southeastern and northeastern Oklahoma City in 1968, following the passage of Senate Bill Number 2 in 1967. This legislation enabled district-operated community colleges to receive state aid. In 1969 and 1970, voters further supported the college by passing a $1.75 million general obligation bond issue, a two-mill levy for operating expenses, and a three-mill levy for operations, respectively. In December 1973, the Rose State College Board of Trustees approved the junior college's membership in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

Mission and Purpose

Rose State College exists as a publicly created and sustained, open-admissions, associate degree-granting college. Its primary mission is to provide comprehensive lower-division programs of higher education and related community services.

Campus and Facilities

The college campus spans over 116 acres (0.47 km2). To accommodate enrollment growth, the Communication Center was built in 1998, housing classrooms for art, music, and journalism, as well as performance spaces for theatrical and musical productions. In 2001, the Health Sciences Annex was completed to support the popular dental hygiene and dental assistant programs.

Tornado Impact

On May 3, 1999, a tornado impacted part of the college campus, with some of the damage rated high-end F4 on the Fujita scale.

Academics and Programs

Rose State College offers degrees and certificates in 55 different fields. As of 2023, 907 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs.Popular programs include:

General Studies
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Social Sciences

The school utilizes a semester-based academic year, and the student-faculty ratio is 21-to-1. The highest degree offered at Rose State College is an associate degree. The school has an open admissions policy.

Enrollment and Demographics

Rose State College has grown significantly since its inception, from an initial enrollment of 1,700 in 1970 to a regular fall enrollment of approximately 8,200. In 2023, the college had a total enrollment of 7,313 students, with 2,186 full-time students and 5,127 part-time students.

The student population is diverse, with the following racial and ethnic representation:

46.2% White
11.8% Two or More Races
11.5% Black or African American
10.5% Hispanic or Latino
4.1% American Indian or Alaska Native
2.48% Asian
0.246% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders

Tuition, Costs, and Financial Aid

For the 2020-2021 academic year, in-state tuition and fees were $4,754, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $11,131.In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Rose State College is $3,778.The average net price, which factors in grants and loans, was $10,867 in 2023.83% of undergraduate students receive financial aid through grants, and 14% receive financial aid through loans. The average scholarship or grant award is $2,525.

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Graduation and Retention Rates

In 2023, the graduation rate within 150% of the normal time was 20.8%. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Rose State College was 60%.

Graduates and Employment

In 2023, 321 more women than men received degrees from Rose State College. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Rose State College is white (518 degrees awarded). There were 4.67 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, two or more races (111 degrees).

The most specialized majors across all degree types at Rose State College are Science Technologies (16 degrees awarded), Protective Services (126 degrees), and Human Sciences (44 degrees).

Common jobs for graduates with specialized majors include:

Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers
Other managers
Elementary & middle school teachers
Police officers
Chief executives & legislators

The most common industries employing graduates with these majors are:

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Uninformed
Elementary & secondary schools
Justice, public order, & safety activities
Legal services
Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges

Campus Life and Services

Rose State College offers a range of services to support its students, including:

Academic/career counseling services
Placement services for completers
Employment services for students
Scholarships, including the "Ticket to Rose Program"

Faculty and Staff

Rose State College employs 112 Professors and 14 No academic ranks. The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Rose State College are: Office and Administrative Support, with 50 employees, Management, with 42 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 25 employees.

Impact and Community Engagement

Rose State College plays a significant role in the local community, providing educational opportunities and contributing to the economic development of the region. The college's proximity to Tinker Air Force Base allows it to serve hundreds of military personnel each year.

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