Acceptance Rate
45%
“Faith-centered Seventh-day Adventist university blending gospel music excellence with health sciences in NASA's Rocket City.”
Huntsville, AL
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Oakwood University traces its roots to 1896, when the Seventh-day Adventist Church established it in Huntsville, Alabama, initially as a vocational school to provide education in a segregated era. Today, it maintains a close-knit community of about 1,500 undergraduates on a compact campus, where students who appreciate structured faith-based living and personal mentorship find their place. The school's personality revolves around spiritual growth alongside academics, with daily worship services and Sabbath observance shaping the rhythm of life—no classes or major events from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Huntsville's booming aerospace and tech scene, home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, offers internships and a dynamic backdrop, though the area's humid summers and modest public transit can feel limiting for those used to bigger cities. Families should note the straightforward tuition around $19,000, but living costs in Huntsville run higher than many Southern towns due to its growth as a tech hub.
Photo Gallery
+6
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Oakwood shines in nursing, biology, theology, and music, where small class sizes foster hands-on learning and close professor relationships in a setting that integrates faith into coursework. You'll attend interactive seminars rather than massive lectures, diving into lab work in health sciences or rehearsals with acclaimed ensembles like the Aeolians choir. Research opportunities exist through faculty-led projects, especially in allied health, though the small scale means fewer options in fields like engineering compared to larger universities. Popular majors such as nursing fill quickly, so early declaration helps secure spots.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,177 undergrad • 49 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
White
1%
Black / African American
69%
Hispanic / Latino
8%
Other / Multi-racial
22%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Huntsville, AL
Varsity Athletics
Campus life pulses with spiritual and musical traditions, from vespers gatherings to the Aeolians' performances that draw crowds worldwide. A typical week mixes chapel, classes, club meetings, and weekend outreach, with most freshmen required to live on campus in residence halls that build community through floor events. The social scene stays tame and faith-focused, light on parties but rich in service trips and talent shows; extroverts who love performing thrive, while those seeking urban nightlife might head to Huntsville's breweries or rocket museum. Housing guarantees for undergrads ease worries, but the Sabbath pause shifts social plans.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
NCAA
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
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
$20,804
$30K – $48K
$20,643
$48K – $75K
$22,871
$75K – $110K
$24,659
$110K+
$26,791
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
71%
4 Years Graduation Rate
34%
6 Years Graduation Rate
59%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$42,488
71% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Oakwood University and return in the fall. 34% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 59% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
34%
4-5 years
25%
6-8 years
3%
Non-grad
38%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$18,974
Acceptance
45%
Undergrads
1,177
4-Year Grad Rate
34%
Endowment
$31M
Huntsville, AL 35896
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