Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Ohio Christian University is a small, faith-driven institution where spiritual formation is as central as academic rigor. With a 38% acceptance rate and a tight-knit campus culture, OCU attracts students seeking a biblically integrated education—especially in business, liberal arts, and ministry fields—though its 42% graduation rate suggests challenges in retention. The university’s 'Payback Promise' program and $21K net price reflect its commitment to affordability for its predominantly local student body.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
862
In-state tuition
$24,600
Out-of-state tuition
$24,600
Acceptance Rate
38%
Application Fee
$25
Most Popular Major
Business Administration
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
42%
Median Salary (6 Years Post-Grad)
$34,457
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$39,813
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$29,579
Graduation rate
34%
First-year retention
62%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
28%
Pell (lower-income) share
82%
First-generation share
55%
Endowment / student
$7,678
Financial health
2.5 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$65,905
Business Administration, Management and Operations$43,240
Health and Medical Administrative Services$38,649
Religion/Religious Studies$32,284
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$32,162
Psychology, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
28°F
Annual rain
46.5"
Annual snow
17.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
17
Scholarly works
87
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Ohio Christian University?
Ohio Christian University's acceptance rate is approximately 38% (Circleville, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Ohio Christian University cost?
At Ohio Christian University, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,607 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Ohio Christian University?
Ohio Christian University enrolls approximately 862 undergraduate students.
Where is Ohio Christian University located?
Ohio Christian University is located in Circleville, OH.
Admissions
Ohio Christian University is moderately selective, with a 38% acceptance rate (366 admitted from 964 applicants in 2024). Successful applicants typically have SAT scores between 850–930 or ACT scores of 15–17, though the university doesn’t emphasize standardized testing—its average SAT is just 910. The $25 application fee is low compared to many private colleges. Notably, OCU’s Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. has dipped slightly in recent years, making it more selective than some regional peers. The admissions process evaluates both academic readiness and alignment with the university’s Christian mission.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$28,960
Homeland Security$28,598
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$25,774
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Business Administration (27 degrees awarded annually)
Liberal Arts & Humanities (38 graduates)
Religious Studies (25 graduates)
Human Services (21 graduates)
With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, classes are small and discussion-based. The university emphasizes 'critical and creative thinking' within a Christian worldview, though its academic rigor is more vocational than research-intensive. Transfer partnerships with schools like Columbus State Community College provide pathways for non-traditional students.
Campus life revolves around faith and fellowship: worship nights, Bible studies, and service projects dominate the calendar. Students describe a close-knit community where ‘everyone knows each other.’ New amenities like a game room and leadership center add social options, but nightlife is limited—this isn’t a party school. The [student handbook](https://ocuwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/public-www/media/documents/OCU_Student_Handbook_Updated_July2023.pdf) outlines strict lifestyle standards aligned with evangelical values. On-campus events (e.g., preview days) highlight OCU’s ‘beautiful campus’ and spiritual vibrancy, though some note a lack of Greek life or Division sports.
OCU’s 42% graduation rate lags behind national averages, but graduates earn $34,457 median salaries six years post-graduation—on par with many regional liberal arts colleges. Within five years, earnings rise to $44,633, suggesting steady career growth. The university ranks #55 out of 78 in Ohio for overall outcomes, with strengths in faculty engagement rather than prestige metrics. Retention rates are modest, reflecting the challenges of serving a student body that includes working adults and First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. college attendees.
OCU’s net price is $21,092 after aid—affordable for a private university, thanks to institutional grants and scholarships. The average aid package totals $9,071, with options like the Payback Promise program (a loan repayment safety net). Most aid requires full-time enrollment. The financial aid office actively assists students, though the university’s [Shopping Sheet](https://www.shoppingsheet.com/Shopping/Landing/ohio-christian) notes that 85% of attendees receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., suggesting a predominantly lower-income student body.
OCU carves a niche as a hyper-accessible Christian college where faith permeates everything—from business classes to dorm life. Its 11:1 student-faculty ratio ensures mentorship, while pragmatic majors (business, human services) cater to students seeking employable degrees. The Payback Promise and low Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. demonstrate commitment to affordability, though the 42% graduation rate reveals gaps in support. For evangelical students seeking a tight-knit spiritual community with vocational training, OCU delivers—but it’s not for those wanting a secular or research-heavy experience.
Ohio Christian University logo · sourceOhio Christian University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceOhio Christian University - Promo Video · sourceDisc Golf - Ohio Christian University · source
