DeVry University-Oklahoma

Key Highlights

• Dedicated to academic excellence
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Traditional campus life doesn't exist at DeVry Oklahoma City. The student population of around 130 attends classes, accesses resources, and then returns to jobs and families. There are no dormitories, no sports teams, no fraternities. This is education as transaction rather than transformation. Students here are typically working adults juggling multiple responsibilities. Many have families, full-time jobs, and limited time for anything beyond coursework. The appeal is flexibility and speed to credential, not personal development or social connection. Peer interaction happens primarily in classrooms and online discussion boards. Some students form study groups or maintain connections with classmates, but the institutional structure doesn't emphasize community building. Support services focus on academic advising and career placement rather than student affairs programming. The Oklahoma City location means students can access local amenities, but the campus itself is minimal. This isn't a sprawling university with lawns and historic buildings; it's a commercial space adapted for educational purposes.

Location & Surroundings

Oklahoma City sprawls across the prairie in central Oklahoma, a state capital with about 700,000 residents in the city proper and 1.4 million in the metropolitan area. The economy runs on energy, aerospace, and healthcare, with major employers including Devon Energy, Tinker Air Force Base, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The DeVry campus occupies commercial space rather than a traditional academic setting. It's accessible by car in a region where driving is the primary transportation mode. Public transit exists but is limited compared to larger cities. The climate brings genuine weather extremes. Summers are hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C and occasional heat waves pushing higher. Winters bring cold spells and occasional ice storms that can shut down the city. Spring means tornado season, with Oklahoma's position in "Tornado Alley" bringing real risk during storm months. The cost of living in Oklahoma City is low by national standards. Housing, food, and daily expenses run well below coastal cities. This affordability can make education more accessible for students managing tight budgets.

Costs & Career Outcomes

DeVry tuition rates are higher than public community colleges and comparable to many private nonprofits. Total costs including fees and materials can accumulate significantly over a degree program. Financial aid is available, including federal loans, but students should calculate total debt carefully against realistic salary expectations. The for-profit sector has faced criticism for students graduating with substantial debt and struggling to find employment that justifies their investment. DeVry specifically has faced legal challenges over claims about graduate employment rates. Research current outcomes data rather than relying on institutional marketing. Career services exist to help graduates find employment. The practical focus of the curriculum aims to prepare students for immediate workplace contribution. Some employers value the specific skills DeVry teaches; others prefer candidates from traditional institutions. The calculation for prospective students should include honest assessment of alternatives. Would a community college associate's degree plus transfer to a public university cost less and provide similar or better outcomes? Are online programs from nonprofit institutions available? Making an informed decision requires comparing options rather than accepting the first opportunity presented.

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