Oklahoma higher education system exceeds completion goals, official says

Although final numbers aren't yet available, public colleges and universities in Oklahoma had more than 1,900 more graduates during the 2011-12 academic year than during the previous year, said Tony Hutchison, the system's vice chancellor for strategic planning, analysis and workforce and economic development.

That figure places the system ahead of the goal of 1,700 additional graduates per year for the next four years.

State higher education officials laid out that goal as a part of Oklahoma's participation in Complete College America, a nationwide college completion initiative. Last year marked the state's first year under that program.

Hutchison announced the totals Wednesday at a meeting of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Hutchison said he expects the tally to rise over the next three weeks. Colleges and universities continue to report graduation numbers until the system's Oct. 1 deadline, he said.

Three universities still haven't reported their graduation numbers, he said, and all three schools have said they expect their graduation rates to be equal to or greater than last year's totals.

College completion has been an emphasis of state and federal higher education officials in recent years. Glen Johnson, chancellor of the state's higher education system, has called for an additional 20,400 degrees and certificates to be awarded in Oklahoma over the next 12 years.