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, evangelical Christian institution in Circleville where faith isn't just a part of the curriculum—it's the foundation of campus life. With a selective admissions process and a tight-knit community centered on worship and athletics, OCU offers a focused, values-driven education, particularly in business and the liberal arts. Its outcomes reflect a mission to serve, with many graduates entering fields like human services and ministry.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
862
In-state tuition
$24,600
Out-of-state tuition
$24,600
Graduation Rate
34%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$39,813
Test Score Range (Mid 50%)
ACT 15-17, SAT 850-930
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
34%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
55%
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
Getting into Ohio Christian University is a selective process, with the school admitting roughly 38 out of every 100 applicants. The admissions office does not consider SAT or ACT scores as a factor in its decisions. For those who do submit scores, the middle 50% of admitted students typically present an ACT score between 15 and 17, or an SAT score in the 850-930 range. The university's admissions stance on factors like demonstrated interest or early decision is not detailed in the available sources, leaving the process largely centered on the standard application materials.
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Test Scores (Middle 50%): ACT 15-17, SAT 850-930
Standardized Testing Policy: SAT/ACT scores are "Not considered for admission."
Academic life at OCU is defined by its explicit integration of faith and learning, aiming to develop students "intellectually, professionally, and spiritually" within a scholarly environment. The curriculum is built on a Christian worldview, fostering critical and creative thinking. The institution is small and personal, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. It offers 32 majors, with business, liberal arts, and religious studies leading the way in popularity. Each year, the most degrees awarded are in Business Administration and Management, followed closely by Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Religious Studies.
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.
Campus life is intentionally structured to foster a spiritual community where students can "live a life worthy of their calling." The rhythm of student life is punctuated by collective worship nights filled with music, fellowship, and scripture. Beyond the chapel, a strong athletics culture binds the community, with sports like basketball and soccer being particularly popular and serving as major sources of school spirit and social activity. The overall atmosphere is one of a close-knit, vibrant, and caring community where spiritual and social activities are deeply intertwined.
Graduation rates at Ohio Christian University are a point of significant focus, with a six-year rate for bachelor's degree seekers reported at 21%. The outcomes differ for specific groups; for instance, the six-year graduation rate for students who received Pell Grants is 36%. For graduate students who began in Fall 2019, the graduation rate was higher, at 49%. In terms of earnings, the median income for graduates ten years after entry is $39,813. Data also shows earnings one year after graduation averaging $37,996, rising to $44,633 after five years.
The published tuition rate for full-time students taking 12-18 credit hours is $10,850 per semester, or $21,700 per academic year. However, the average —what students actually pay after scholarships and grants are applied—is $20,607. The university offers a variety of scholarships and grants to offset costs, with the average financial aid package reported as $9,071. Prospective students are directed to use the Net Price Calculator on the university's website and contact the Financial Aid Office directly for personalized estimates and details on satisfying academic progress requirements to maintain aid eligibility.
Ohio Christian University stands out for its unwavering commitment to being a faith-first community, not just a college with a chapel. The integration of a Christian worldview into every facet of academics and campus life creates a cohesive, purpose-driven environment rare even among religious institutions. Its small size and 11:1 student-faculty ratio ensure a personalized educational experience where spiritual formation is considered as core as professional preparation. While its graduation metrics present a challenge, the university's focus on serving Pell Grant recipients and its popular majors in practical fields like business and human services speak to a mission of equipping students for service-oriented leadership. For a student seeking a tight-knit, spiritually vibrant campus where faith directly shapes daily life and learning, OCU offers a distinct and focused path.
Ohio Christian University seal · sourceOhio Christian University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceVirtual Campus Gallery - Ohio Christian University · sourceOhio Christian University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
