
Oral Roberts University
Acceptance rate
98.9%
2025
Peer median 70.9%
Tuition per year
$35,470
$45,430 with room and board
Peer median $43,496
Undergraduates
5,017
Student-faculty ratio 18:1
Peer median 12 : 1
Graduation rate
51.5%
4-year; 6-year rate 62.9%
Peer median 55.3%
“Peers” are all 219 private national universities, the same comparison used in this page's data notes.
About
Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oral Roberts University is a private non-profit, four-year institution established with an affiliation to other Protestant Christian denominations. The university incorporates Christian spiritual values and charismatic traditions into its overall educational curriculum and campus environment. Academically, the institution offers undergraduate degrees in ministry, nursing, psychology, and business, alongside graduate studies in counseling, education, and theology. In specialized program rankings, the graduate education school was ranked 238 in 2026 by U.S. News, while the undergraduate nursing program held rank 394 in 2027. Combining an accessible admissions process with a campus community drawn from domestic and overseas students, Oral Roberts University serves applicants seeking a faith-centered education in a mid-sized metropolitan setting.
Oral Roberts University offers a relatively affordable entry point compared to many private universities, though completion outcomes are moderate. In 2025, undergraduate tuition was $35,470, while spending on instruction and student services remained modest. Student progress metrics show that completing a degree within standard timeframes varies: the university's four-year graduation rate was 51.5% in 2025, while the six-year graduation rate reached 62.9%. Institutional financial estimates indicate that tuition revenue was estimated at 30.6% of list price in 2024. This figure represents a school-wide estimate that can reflect institutional aid packages and graduate tuition waivers; it is not what any student pays, and international students should not use it to estimate their own cost. For prospective students and their families, these figures indicate accessible upfront costs alongside reasonable retention, but applicants should plan carefully for timely degree completion to maximize financial value.
This collegeRanked colleges nearby
- Setting
- Large city
- Nearest major city
- Tulsa, about 6 mi
- Nearest international airport
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL), about 10 mi
- Also known as
- ORU
- Academic calendar
- Semester
- Religious affiliation
- Other Protestant
- President
- William M. Wilson (President)
- Phone
- 9184956161
- Address
- 7777 S Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK 74171
Rankings & Admission
Peer median 70.9% · all 219 private national universities
Acceptance rate by gender, 2025
In 2020: men 73.1%, women 65.8%.
Data insights
Oral Roberts University offers exceptionally open admissions, accepting nearly every student who applies. In 2025, the university's acceptance rate reached 98.9%, which was higher than 98% of peer schools among all private research universities. Most applicants received admission offers, with only 55 applicants denied that year. However, admitted students do not heavily choose to enroll. The university posted a yield rate of 18.8% in 2025, indicating that well under half of accepted students chose to matriculate, though this figure was still higher than 61% of peer schools. In national standings, Oral Roberts University held rank 331 in the 2023 U.S. News rankings, with no rank published for 2027. For prospective applicants, these figures show that gaining an acceptance letter is highly accessible, though the lower yield confirms that the school must compete with other institutions to persuade admitted candidates to attend.
School and Program Rankings
U.S. News school and program rankings · Click a school to see its programs, and a program for its full ranking
Undergraduate Rankings · 2027 edition
Social Sciences and Humanities1 programs—
Graduate Rankings · 2026 edition
Ranks in blue are top 10 · ▲▼ change from the previous edition · “—” means no overall ranking for that school · Medical schools are ranked in tiers since the 2025 edition
Test Scores
2025 admitted students, 25th–75th percentile · 11% submitted SAT, 7% submitted ACT · SAT/ACT optional: considered if submitted
Data insights
Applicants to Oral Roberts University encounter accessible entry standards with moderate test score profiles and steady high school preparation. For 2025 enrolled students, the median SAT score was 1200, which was higher than 34% of peer private comprehensive universities. ACT composite scores typically spanned from a 25th percentile of 22 to a 75th percentile of 28. Most students entered with strong academic foundations, with more than a third of incoming freshmen presenting perfect high school grade-point averages and the remainder mostly earning marks in the B and A ranges. The vast majority of enrolling undergraduates did not submit standardized testing scores during recent admissions cycles. For prospective students planning an application, maintaining solid high school course grades will comfortably position them for consideration, even with test scores that align near national mid-range benchmarks.
How Hard Is It to Get In
about 10 in 10
5,022 applicants in 2025, 98.9% admitted
4,967 admitted 55 not admitted Yield 18.8%
Degrees & Majors
Graduates in 2025 (first major)
U.S. studentsInternational
Popular graduate programs
- Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other · Master's36 (6% international)
- Counseling Psychology · Master's34 (3% international)
- Business Administration and Management, General · Master's30 (3% international)
- Organizational Leadership · Doctoral24 (0% international)
- Divinity/Ministry · Master's22 (5% international)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management · Master's21 (14% international)
Data insights
Conferrals at Oral Roberts University show a moderate concentration in ministry, social sciences, and health professions. In 2025, the top three bachelor's degree programs accounted for 26.2% of the university's 745 undergraduate degrees, led by Divinity and Ministry, General Psychology, and Registered Nursing. These larger disciplines do not carry elite rankings; in U.S. News, undergraduate Nursing stood at 394 in 2027, while undergraduate Psychology was ranked 570 in 2027. Graduate Education ranked at 238 in 2026. According to 2021 earnings data, the strongest starting compensation belonged to Registered Nursing graduates, who achieved median first-year earnings of $71,417. Prospective students should recognize that while health and technical fields yield solid starting salaries, academic recognition remains modest.
All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard
*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | $41,002-$60,447 | |||
| Organizational Leadership. | $41,002-$60,447 | |||
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other. | $41,002-$60,447 | |||
| Accounting. | $64,842 | |||
| Small Business Administration/Management. | - | |||
| Finance, General. | - | |||
| Human Resources Development. | - | |||
| International Business/Trade/Commerce. | $44,807 | |||
| Actuarial Science. | - | |||
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General. | $33,103 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | - | |||
| Theology/Theological Studies. | $36,777-$44,345 | |||
| Divinity/Ministry. | $36,777-$44,345 | |||
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other. | $36,777-$44,345 | |||
| Pastoral Studies/Counseling. | $26,347 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | $32,120 | |||
| Counseling Psychology. | $59,059 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health/Health Care Administration/Management. | - | |||
| Music Therapy/Therapist. | - | |||
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. | $74,223 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dance, General. | - | |||
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General. | - | |||
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | - | |||
| Fine/Studio Arts, General. | - | |||
| Music, General. | - | |||
| Music Performance, General. | - | |||
| Music Technology. | - | |||
| Music Management. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management. | $27,375 | |||
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | $27,375 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. | $31,107 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | - | |||
| Educational Leadership and Administration, General. | - | |||
| Educational Administration and Supervision, Other. | - | |||
| Elementary Education and Teaching. | $45,181 | |||
| Music Teacher Education. | - | |||
| Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication, General. | $43,471 | |||
| Mass Communication/Media Studies. | $43,471 | |||
| Journalism. | - | |||
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | - | |||
| Public Relations/Image Management. | $39,015 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations and Affairs. | - | |||
| Political Science and Government, General. | - | |||
| Sociology, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General. | $69,971 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology. | - | |||
| Computer Science. | - | |||
| Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management, Other. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General. | $33,534 | |||
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Studies. | - | |||
| Business Analytics. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Studies. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Interpretation and Translation. | - | |||
| French Language and Literature. | - | |||
| Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry, General. | - |
Students
5,936 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 43:57 · Freshman retention 80.5%
- Continuing undergraduates 2,291
- First-year undergraduates 748
- Graduate students 919
- Transfers and others 1,978
Undergraduate race and ethnicity (5,017)
Age distribution
Bachelor's
Graduate students
Data insights
Oral Roberts University enrolled a total of 5,936 students in 2025 across its undergraduate and graduate divisions. The undergraduate freshman class totaled 935 students, where White students formed the largest group, while international students accounted for 22.8% and Asian students made up 3.2%. Across the broader returning undergraduate population, White students represented the largest group, alongside smaller shares of Hispanic, international, and Black students. In the graduate school, 919 students were enrolled in 2025. International students formed the single largest graduate cohort at 32.2%, followed by White students and Black students, with Asian students comprising 4.9% of graduate enrollment. Female students held a slight majority in both undergraduate and graduate divisions. Overall, the university combines a sizeable domestic core with substantial international representation in both starting undergraduate classes and advanced degree programs.
Undergraduate and graduate cohorts at Oral Roberts University present strikingly distinct age distributions. In 2025, undergraduate students were primarily young adults, with students aged 18 to 19 making up the largest share at 27.6%, closely followed by individuals under age 18 at 26.6%. This notable presence of underage students reflects secondary-level dual enrollment alongside traditional college undergraduates, creating a campus environment focused on late-teen learning. Conversely, the 919 graduate students consist heavily of mid-career adults, with those aged 40 to 49 representing the largest segment at 22.6%. The contrasting student age profiles highlight a clear division between a youth-centered residential undergraduate experience and an adult-oriented graduate division.
International Students
International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 219 private national universities
803 in 2025 · 7.4% in 2016
296 in 2025 · 16.7% in 2016
Data insights
International student enrollment at Oral Roberts University has expanded rapidly over recent years across both academic divisions. In 2025, international students comprised 16.0% of the undergraduate student body, a proportion higher than 94% of peer schools among all private research universities. At the graduate level, international scholars represented 32.2% of all enrolled graduate students. However, international students made up a much smaller share of degree recipients in 2025, accounting for 2.7% of bachelor's degrees and 5.7% of master's degrees. Among undergraduate degree programs, general engineering enrolled the highest international graduate proportion, followed by liberal arts and sciences. At the master's level, sport and fitness administration enrolled the highest concentration of international graduates, followed by theological studies. This steady upward trajectory shows growing global interest in the university's faith-based degree programs.
Cost
2025 cost per year
$45,430
- Undergraduate tuition
- $35,470
- Room and board
- $9,960
- Graduate tuition
- $13,628
Peer median tuition + room and board $57,550 · all 219 private national universities
Tuition rose 43% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 30%.
Finances · fiscal year 2024
Revenue$152M
Expenses$130M
Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)
Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 219 private national universities
Campus Life
Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · The Summit League
The Summit League: basketball, baseball, cross country
| NCAA Division I without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 92 | 65 |
| Soccer | 30 | 34 |
| Baseball | 40 | - |
| Basketball | 18 | 13 |
| Volleyball | - | 18 |
| Tennis | 8 | 9 |
| Golf | 9 | 6 |
| NCAA Division I without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 93 | 62 |
| Soccer | 38 | 37 |
| Baseball | 39 | - |
| Basketball | 18 | 14 |
| Tennis | 8 | 10 |
| Volleyball | - | 17 |
| Golf | 8 | 7 |
| NCAA Division I without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 64 | 52 |
| Soccer | 34 | 39 |
| Baseball | 35 | - |
| Basketball | 15 | 15 |
| Golf | 9 | 9 |
| Tennis | 8 | 7 |
| Volleyball | - | 14 |
Nearby & Safety
Ranked colleges nearby
-
University of TulsaTulsa · 7.1 mi
U.S. News #148
-
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater · 62.6 mi
U.S. News #191
-
University of ArkansasFayetteville · 99.2 mi
U.S. News #191
-
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman · 101.9 mi
U.S. News #116
-
Wichita State UniversityWichita · 137.1 mi
U.S. News #288
-
University of KansasLawrence · 204.7 mi
U.S. News #148
-
University of North TexasDenton · 207.5 mi
U.S. News #208
-
Hendrix CollegeConway · 207.8 mi
Liberal Arts #100
-
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson · 216.5 mi
U.S. News #121
Data insights
Prospective applicants considering Oral Roberts University have several alternative university options within the region. Located only 7.1 kilometers away in the same city, the University of Tulsa offers a private national university setting that was ranked 148 in the 2027 U.S. News rankings. For larger public research options within Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is situated 62.6 kilometers away and ranked 191 among national universities. Further south, the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is 101.9 kilometers away and held a rank of 116. Across state borders in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas sits 99.2 kilometers away with a 2027 national ranking of 191, giving students alternative comprehensive campus choices within driving distance.
Peer median 5.6 · all 219 private national universities
Incidents, 2023–2025
From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.
Data insights
Campus safety records at Oral Roberts University show a low incidence of security violations and an absence of serious violent offenses. In 2025, the crime rate per 1,000 students was 0.7, reflecting a notably calm campus environment. Over the three-year reporting period from 2023 to 2025, property crimes and disciplinary actions represented almost all recorded events. The most common incident type was theft, totaling 8 incidents across those three years. Non-arrest student conduct referrals formed the other primary category, with 7 drug disciplinary referrals and 3 liquor disciplinary referrals logged during the same timeframe. A small number of vehicle thefts were also reported, while violent crimes and weapons offenses remained virtually nonexistent. For prospective students and families assessing daily life in Tulsa, these data demonstrate a safe residential environment where security concerns are primarily confined to minor property offenses rather than threats to personal safety.
Notable Alumni
All 24Notable alumni of Oral Roberts University include Michele Bachmann (Former U.S. representative and 2012 presidential candidate), Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic frontman, songwriter and producer) and Joel Osteen (Houston pastor, televangelist and author).
-
Michele Bachmann 1956–
Former U.S. representative and 2012 presidential candidate
-
Ryan Tedder 1979–
OneRepublic frontman, songwriter and producer
-
Joel Osteen 1963–
Houston pastor, televangelist and author
-
Madeline Manning 1948–
Former runner and Olympic champion
-
Kathie Lee Gifford 1953–
Television presenter, singer and author
-
John Allen Chau 1991–2018
Missionary killed on North Sentinel Island
-
Ted Haggard 1956–
Evangelical pastor, founder of New Life Church
-
Adam Hamilton 1964–
Methodist pastor and Kansas senator-elect
-
Andretti Bain 1985–
Bahamian 400 metres sprinter
Recent News at Oral Roberts University
Summarized daily from the school's official news. Click "Source" for the original story.
-
Oral Roberts University completed a comprehensive renovation of Christ's Chapel, including more than 3,000 new fixed seats, acoustical treatments, new lighting and facade improvements.
Source: oru.edu
No updates on this topic in this month.
References and Data Sources
- Oral Roberts University Official Website
- USNews Best Colleges Ranking
- USNews Bset Global Universities Ranking
- THE World University Ranking
- QS World University Ranking
- ARWU World University Ranking
- US Department of Education College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Forward Pathway US College Ranking Database
Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.