Admit rate has ranged 47%–58% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
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.
Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) is a small, Christ-centered liberal arts university in Shawnee where nearly half of applicants get in—but where those who enroll find a tight-knit community, a 90% medical school acceptance rate, and red-brick traditions. With 80+ majors and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, OBU blends evangelical rigor with surprising affordability: 100% of on-campus undergrads receive aid, and the university guarantees $60,000 in scholarships over four years.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,308
In-state tuition
$35,570
Out-of-state tuition
$35,570
Location
Shawnee, OK
Majors Offered
80+
Acceptance Rate
49-68%
Notable Program
Nursing (90% med school acceptance)
Total Annual Cost
$49,065
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
59%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,434
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$24,801
Graduation rate
52%
First-year retention
72%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
70%
Pell (lower-income) share
61%
First-generation share
26%
Endowment / student
$131,867
Financial health
3.0 / 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$52,107
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$35,060
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$34,793
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services$21,508
Anthropology$21,508
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 & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.76
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
82
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
34°F
Annual rain
41.3"
Annual snow
7.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
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
33
Scholarly works
371
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.7%
Bottom → top quintile
12%
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Oklahoma Baptist University?
Oklahoma Baptist University's acceptance rate is approximately 49% (Shawnee, OK), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Oklahoma Baptist University?
Admitted students at Oklahoma Baptist University typically score 1070–1240 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Oklahoma Baptist University cost?
At Oklahoma Baptist University, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,958 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Oklahoma Baptist University?
Oklahoma Baptist University enrolls approximately 1,308 undergraduate students.
Where is Oklahoma Baptist University located?
Oklahoma Baptist University is located in Shawnee, OK.
Admissions
OBU is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 49% (per U.S. News) and 68% (CollegeCalcAI) in recent cycles. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1070-1240 on the SAT or 19-25 on the ACT, with an average high school GPA of 3.6. Notably, 57% of admits had GPAs of 3.75 or higher. While test scores are considered, OBU emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone.—its 1,805 admitted students in 2024 came from 3,653 applications, yielding a class where faith alignment matters as much as academics.
OBU offers 80+ majors, with nursing (especially Registered Nursing and Nursing Administration) standing out as a flagship program. The curriculum balances liberal arts with professional preparation—4% of students major in Bible/Biblical Studies, while another 5% pursue Counseling Psychology. Small classes (13:1 student-faculty ratio) and a 90% medical school reflect its academic intensity. The university touts a Top 30 Best Value Schools ranking from U.S. News, though its 50% six-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to persist.
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.
Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.
Life at OBU revolves around its Christ-centered community—policies explicitly aim for 'spiritual development alongside academic growth.' The Shawnee campus features red-brick buildings and a Bison mascot, with student reviews highlighting friendly vibes. While Greek life is absent, clubs and intramurals fill the social calendar. Housing and dining policies are strictly regulated, aligning with Baptist values. TikTok tours showcase a picturesque, if somewhat insular, environment where 'everyone knows your name.'
Six months post-graduation, 72% of OBU alumni are employed, while 19% pursue graduate degrees. Median earnings hit $38,600 at the six-year mark, climbing to $42,900 after a decade—modest compared to national averages. The 51% four-year graduation rate rises to 59% at six years, though this trails peer institutions. Notably, 5% of graduates juggle work and grad school simultaneously, suggesting OBU prepares students for pragmatic, multi-tasking futures.
At $49,065 total annual cost ($35,770 tuition + fees), OBU appears steep—but 100% of on-campus undergrads receive aid, with a guaranteed minimum of $60,000 in scholarships over four years. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests significant discounts for families earning under $50K. Renewable scholarships require just a 2.0 GPA, making OBU unexpectedly accessible for a private university. Room and board adds $9,230, though strict housing policies limit off-campus options.
OBU carves a niche as an evangelical powerhouse with a nursing bent—its 90% med school Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. rivals elite universities, while its Bible studies programs anchor spiritual life. The guaranteed $60K scholarship and 100% aid rate defy its sticker price, attracting 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. students (30% of enrollees). Though graduation rates lag, the 13:1 ratio ensures mentorship. For Baptist students seeking affordable rigor with chapel requirements, OBU delivers.
Oklahoma Baptist University logo · sourceHistory and School Rankings | OBU · sourceAcademics | Oklahoma Baptist University · sourceOBU Campus Recognized as One of the Nation's Most Beautiful · source
