Admit rate has ranged 52%–83% 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 Wesleyan University (OKWU) is a small, evangelical Christian university in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where faith and academics intertwine with a practical, career-focused edge. Known for its tight-knit community and Christ-centered approach, OKWU offers a mix of traditional undergraduate programs and accelerated online degrees, with business and nursing standing out as student favorites. While its acceptance rate hovers around 66-77%, the university emphasizes affordability, with nearly all students receiving financial aid.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Class rank
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
673
In-state tuition
$33,550
Out-of-state tuition
$33,550
Location
Bartlesville, OK
Campus Vibe
Evangelical Christian, tight-knit
Acceptance Rate
66-77%
Most Popular Major
Business (31% of grads)
Signature Programs
Nursing, Business, DBA/DNP
4-Year Graduation Rate
27-32%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,841
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.1×
Median debt at graduation
$24,813
Graduation rate
35%
First-year retention
50%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
61%
Pell (lower-income) share
58%
First-generation share
41%
Endowment / student
$16,844
Financial health
2.2 / 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$65,557
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)
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
75
Summer high
90°F
Winter low
31°F
Annual rain
42.9"
Annual snow
5.8"
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
14
Scholarly works
91
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 Oklahoma Wesleyan University?
Oklahoma Wesleyan University's acceptance rate is approximately 66% (Bartlesville, OK), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Oklahoma Wesleyan University cost?
At Oklahoma Wesleyan University, the average net price (after aid) is about $28,358 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Oklahoma Wesleyan University?
Oklahoma Wesleyan University enrolls approximately 673 undergraduate students.
Where is Oklahoma Wesleyan University located?
Oklahoma Wesleyan University is located in Bartlesville, OK.
Admissions
OKWU 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. ranging from 57.5% to 77% across sources, though recent data suggests around 66-77% is most accurate. Test scores are optional but typical admitted students fall in the ACT 17-22 or SAT 930-1,110 range. The university doesn't heavily emphasize elite stats—its median admitted student profile is far more accessible than selective liberal arts colleges like Wesleyan University (CT), where median ACTs hit 34. OKWU's rolling admissions and focus on mission fit over metrics make it a viable option for students seeking a faith-based education without cutthroat competition.
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.
OKWU's academic offerings are unapologetically Christ-centered, with over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs designed to merge faith with career readiness. Business dominates as the most popular major (31% of graduates), followed by liberal arts (19%) and nursing (13%). The university leans into practical fields—criminology, accounting, and psychology round out the top five. Accelerated online and hybrid programs through its Graduate & Professional Studies division cater to working adults, including doctoral tracks like the DBA and DNP. Small class sizes are the norm, and the curriculum emphasizes 'academic freedom' within a biblical framework, aiming to equip students for 'a life of purpose.'
Life at OKWU revolves around its evangelical identity and close-knit campus of about 1,000 students. Spiritual life is front and center, with chapel services and faith-based clubs shaping the rhythm of the week. The Culture Connection club promotes diversity within the university's Christian framework, while intramurals and student-led organizations (think: worship teams, not Greek life) fill out the social calendar. Safety is a priority—24/7 officers patrol the compact campus, which students describe as 'welcoming' and 'supportive.' Bartlesville, a quiet oil town, offers few big-city distractions, making OKWU a haven for students seeking a focused, faith-driven college experience.
OKWU's graduation rates lag behind national averages—just 27-32% of students finish within four years, though this aligns with many small regional universities. The College Scorecard reports median earnings of $42,000 for graduates six years out, with nursing and business alumni likely faring best. Retention rates hover around 60%, suggesting some students struggle with the academic or faith-based rigor. While the university touts career preparation, hard outcomes data is sparse; its value proposition leans more toward spiritual formation than elite job placement.
OKWU positions itself as an affordable private option, with 100% of first-year students receiving grants or scholarships. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid averages $26,811, though families earning $30-48K pay closer to $25,893. Academic scholarships range from $3,000 to $6,000 annually (GPA-dependent), and the university participates in federal aid programs. While sticker tuition is high, aggressive discounting makes OKWU competitive with public schools for many students—especially those prioritizing a faith-based environment over prestige.
OKWU carves a niche as an unapologetically evangelical university where every class—whether nursing or business—is taught through a biblical lens. Its blend of career-focused majors and spiritual formation appeals to students seeking both practical skills and faith community. While not a research powerhouse or selectivity play, OKWU offers a clear alternative to secular education: small classes, Christ-centered advising, and a campus where chapel is as central as the cafeteria. For conservative Christian families in the Midwest, it's a safe harbor—a place where 'integration of faith and learning' isn't just a slogan but the daily reality.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University logo · sourceOklahoma Wesleyan University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourcePhoto Tour - Oklahoma Wesleyan University · sourceOKWU Campus Tour · source
