Acceptance Rate
83%
Avg. SAT
1150
75th percentile
“Small Baptist university delivering faith-centered education amid rural Indiana farmland.”
Oakland City, IN
Location
Rural
Campus Setting
Oakland City University traces its roots to 1885, when the General Association of General Baptists established it in the southwestern Indiana town of Oakland City to train ministers and educators. Today, it serves around 775 undergraduates on a compact campus, fostering a personality defined by Christian values, personal mentorship, and community service. Students who thrive here often seek a supportive environment where faith integrates with daily life, and professors know them by name; those craving big-city energy or vast course catalogs might find the rural pace limiting.
Nestled in a town of about 2,300 amid cornfields and woods, the university draws locals and regional students who appreciate the quiet setting, with Evansville's amenities about an hour away. The close bonds among students and staff create a family atmosphere, but the small scale means fewer dining options or entertainment spots nearby. You'll navigate tradeoffs like higher tuition for a private school without big-name prestige, offset by attentive advising.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
Classes at Oakland City emphasize discussion and hands-on learning in small groups, letting you build close relationships with faculty across programs in education, business, nursing, and Christian ministries. The seminary stands out, offering advanced degrees for those called to pastoral work alongside undergraduate paths that weave theology into core courses. Expect a teaching-focused culture where professors prioritize your growth over research agendas, though popular tracks like nursing fill quickly and advanced research facilities remain limited.
You'll find strengths in preparing teachers for Indiana classrooms and ministers for Baptist churches, with practical internships nearby. The modest size ensures you can switch majors easily but might wait for niche electives. Tradeoffs include larger online components for some courses and fewer study-abroad options compared to bigger schools.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
505 undergrad • 135 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
61%
Black / African American
15%
Hispanic / Latino
4%
Asian
1%
Other / Multi-racial
20%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Oakland City, IN
Varsity Athletics
Campus life revolves around daily chapel services, Bible studies, and mission trips that strengthen the faith community, while intramural sports and service projects fill evenings. A typical week mixes classes, worship, and low-key hangouts in the student center or dorm lounges, with homecoming and spiritual emphasis weeks adding energy. Most freshmen live on campus in traditional residence halls that encourage friendships, though upperclassmen often commute from nearby towns.
The social scene stays wholesome and subdued, suiting students who prefer relationships over parties, but the rural location means weekends require trips to Evansville for concerts or shopping. Cold, windy winters test your resolve outdoors, and the limited club selection—strong in ministry and outdoors but thin elsewhere—pushes you to create your own fun. Housing fills reliably for freshmen, yet space tightens for others.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
NCAA
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$9,472
$30K – $48K
$9,812
$48K – $75K
$7,950
$75K – $110K
$17,001
$110K+
$17,608
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
78%
4 Years Graduation Rate
51%
6 Years Graduation Rate
65%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$43,283
78% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Oakland City University and return in the fall. 51% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 65% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
51%
4-5 years
14%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
34%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$26,400
Acceptance
83%
Undergrads
505
4-Year Grad Rate
51%
Endowment
$15M
Oakland City, IN 47660-1099
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