Lori Meadows
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private, Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1965, ORU has experienced 16 years of consecutive enrollment growth, with a record number of 5,936 students enrolling in the fall of 2024. The university offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, and its students come from diverse backgrounds, with 21% of its student population in 2024 being international students from 129 countries. ORU's unique educational approach focuses on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and its commitment to academic excellence and spiritual development has earned it recognition as one of America's Best Colleges by the Wall Street Journal and other notable rankings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 5,936 (as of 2024) |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,746 (as of 2023) |
| Campus size | 323 acres |
| Tuition and fees | $35,470 |
| Number of countries represented | 129 |
| Number of US states represented | 50 |
| Percentage of international students | 21% |
| Residential retention rate | 92% |
| Number of residential students | 2,245 (as of 2024) |
| Number of on-campus freshmen | Over 1,000 (as of 2023) |
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What You'll Learn
Oral Roberts University has over 5,000 students
Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has over 5,000 students. This is a historic enrollment number for the university, which has seen 14 years of consecutive growth. The 2023 Fall Census reported 5,365 students, with the largest group of on-campus freshmen in the university's history. The 2024 Fall Census reported an even higher number of students, with an all-time high of 5,936. This marked the 16th consecutive year of enrollment growth for the university.
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university. It was founded in 1963 and opened in 1965 with an initial enrollment of 300 students. The university has a current campus size of 323 acres and offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level. These include business, engineering, nursing, and ministry. The university is known for its emphasis on Charismatic doctrines of Christianity and its residential policy, which requires unmarried undergraduate students under 23 to live on campus.
ORU has been recognised for its academic excellence and student experience. The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #4 university in the nation for student engagement, and it was also named by the Princeton Review as a Best Regional College Southwest. Niche recognised ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America and the #1 best Christian college in Oklahoma. The university has also been ranked highly for student experience by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Rankings and College Raptor, which named it a Hidden Gem in the Southwest.
The university has seen several developments in recent years, including major campus renovations and the dedication of a new Welcome Center. ORU has also opened the Fenimore and Fisher Graduate School of Business, with a Capital Markets Trading Floor. There are also plans for further construction, including the Mike Carter Athletic Center, the J.D. McKean Library, and the Media Arts Center. The Green Centre of Global Leadership is also set to be added to the campus, showcasing ORU's commitment to its mission of developing Spirit-empowered students.
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The university has seen 14+ years of consecutive growth
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The university was founded in 1963 and opened in 1965 with an initial enrolment of 300 students. Since then, ORU has grown significantly, with over a decade of consecutive enrolment growth. In fact, as of 2024, the university has seen 16 years of consecutive enrolment growth, with the Fall Census reporting an all-time high of 5,936 students. This represents a 10.5% increase from the previous year and includes the largest incoming class in ORU's history, with 2,245 residential students.
ORU's commitment to educating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—has been a key driver of its success. The university offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing and ministry. This diverse range of educational opportunities attracts students from all 50 states and a growing number of international students. In 2024, ORU's international student population stood at 21%, representing 129 countries.
The university's focus on academic excellence and spiritual empowerment has been recognised by various ranking organisations. The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience in 2025, and Niche recognised ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America. Additionally, Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor dubbed it a "Hidden Gem in the Southwest".
ORU's campus has also expanded to accommodate its growing student population. In addition to constructing five new state-of-the-art buildings, the university has also invested in campus renovations, technology upgrades, and academic enhancements. ORU's commitment to continuous improvement and its focus on providing a well-rounded education have contributed to its 16 years of consecutive enrolment growth and its reputation as one of the leading Spirit-empowered universities in the world.
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ORU is a private institution
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private, Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1963, the university received its charter from the State of Oklahoma in 1965 and opened with an enrollment of 300 students and seven major completed buildings. The university was founded by Oral Roberts, who claimed that the university was a result of his obedience to "God's mandate to build a university on God's authority and the Holy Spirit".
ORU has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the 2024 Fall Census reporting an all-time high enrollment of 5,936 students, marking the 16th consecutive year of enrollment growth. The university offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing and ministry. ORU's commitment to educating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—is a key aspect of its educational philosophy. This approach has earned ORU recognition as a leading university, with rankings highlighting its student experience, diversity, and regional excellence.
As a private institution, ORU has a residential policy requiring unmarried undergraduate students under 23 to live on campus, with separate dormitory facilities for men and women. The university also emphasizes Christian values, with students required to attend chapel services twice each week. ORU has a history of controversy, including allegations of discrimination against LGBT students and a lawsuit involving former president Richard Roberts, which resulted in his resignation in 2007.
Despite these controversies, ORU has continued to thrive and expand, with recent campus renovations and a focus on international student recruitment. The university's commitment to academic excellence and spiritual empowerment has attracted students from diverse backgrounds, contributing to its consistent enrollment growth and recognition as one of the largest, fastest-growing Spirit-empowered universities in the world.
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The campus size is 323 acres
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private, Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The campus size is 323 acres. The university was founded in 1962 and officially opened in 1965 with an initial enrolment of 300 students and seven completed buildings. Since then, the campus has expanded significantly.
ORU's campus has undergone numerous developments and improvements over the years. The university has committed to enhancing its facilities and academic offerings, including constructing several new state-of-the-art buildings. ORU has also prioritised campus renovations, technology upgrades, and academic enhancements. The recent dedication of a new Welcome Centre, as well as the ongoing construction of the Mike Carter Athletic Centre, the J.D. McKean Library, and the Media Arts Centre, demonstrate ORU's commitment to providing modern and advanced amenities for its students.
The university's expansive 323-acre campus offers a range of facilities and resources to support the educational and extracurricular needs of its growing student population. The campus includes academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities, and green spaces. The size of the campus allows for a diverse array of activities and experiences for students, fostering a well-rounded and engaging university environment.
ORU's campus size and ongoing expansion reflect the university's commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience. The additional space enables the university to accommodate a growing number of students, as well as offering an enhanced learning environment with modern facilities and resources. The campus size also contributes to the overall student experience, providing ample space for extracurricular activities, social events, and student organisation gatherings.
The 323-acre campus of Oral Roberts University is more than just a collection of buildings and infrastructure; it is a vibrant and dynamic community that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth, and a holistic educational experience. The campus size enables ORU to cater to a diverse range of student interests and pursuits, creating a rich and engaging university life that extends beyond the classroom.
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ORU enrolled 300 students in 1965
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private, Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The university was founded in 1963 by Oral Roberts, a well-known evangelist, and officially opened its doors in 1965 with an initial enrolment of 300 students. Since its early days, ORU has experienced significant growth and expansion.
ORU's founding was guided by Roberts' religious convictions and mandate from God to establish a university rooted in divine authority and the Holy Spirit. The university's early years laid the foundation for its unique culture and community, which continue to be defining characteristics today. The initial enrolment of 300 students marked the beginning of ORU's journey and set in motion its mission to provide a Spirit-empowered education.
The year 1965 was a pivotal one for ORU, as it not only welcomed its first cohort of 300 students but also saw the completion of seven major buildings on campus. Among these structures was the Claudius Priscilla Roberts Hall, a seven-story residence hall built in 1965 to accommodate up to 600 female students. This residence hall, named after Oral Roberts' mother, stands as a testament to the university's early development and commitment to providing quality housing for its growing student population.
As ORU continued to evolve, it remained committed to its founding principles while adapting to the changing needs of its students. Over the years, the university has undergone various renovations and expansions, reflecting its dedication to enhancing the campus experience. The easing of dress code rules in 2006, for example, marked a shift towards a more modern and casual approach to student life, while still upholding a sense of professionalism.
Today, ORU has grown exponentially from its initial 300 students to enrolling approximately 5,000 students, with recent years surpassing this number. The university has consistently achieved over a decade of consecutive enrolment growth, showcasing its increasing appeal to students from diverse backgrounds. ORU's commitment to academic excellence, spiritual development, and whole-person education has solidified its reputation as one of the largest and fastest-growing Spirit-empowered universities in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
As of Fall 2024, there are 5,936 students enrolled at Oral Roberts University (ORU), according to the Fall Census. This is an all-time high for the university.
Yes, ORU has seen 16 years of consecutive enrollment growth. In 2022, the university exceeded 5,000 students for the first time, and in 2023, the Fall Census reported 5,365 students.
The ORU campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma, spans 323 acres. The university was founded in 1962 and officially opened in 1965 with 300 students and seven major completed buildings.
As of Fall 2023, there were 4,746 undergraduate students enrolled at ORU.
