Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Oakland City, Indiana
68.2% Acceptance Rate
Oakland City University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
68.2%Acceptance Rate
3.29Avg GPA
1000Avg SAT
$39,307Annual Cost
$43,283Grad Salary
31.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
68.2%
Avg GPA
3.29
Avg SAT
1000
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
960–1030
Need-Based Aid
31.9% receive Pell
Oakland City University, founded in 1885 in Indiana, is a Christian liberal arts university offering education, business, and ministry programs. It emphasizes ethical leadership.
The campus features a teacher-training school, sports complex, and chapel. Its tight-knit community and service-learning focus foster holistic growth.
Oakland City University Acceptance Rate
Oakland City University is moderately selective. 68.2% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Oakland City University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 68.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.29 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.09 – 3.28
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.84
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Oakland City University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Oakland City University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Oakland City University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Oakland City University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Oakland City University is 3.29. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.99–3.29 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.49–3.69.Oakland City University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.29 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.09 – 3.28
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.89 – 3.08
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.88
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Oakland City University, founded 1885 by the General Association of General Baptists in Oakland City, IN, was historically the only General Baptist-affiliated college/university in the U.S.
- As of May 2026, the university suspended/terminated all undergraduate programs and laid off over 100 employees after filing a WARN Act notice in April 2026 and missing employee paychecks in May 2026; off-campus buildings were listed for sale the same month.
- Pre-suspension data described roughly 640-775 students, NAIA/NCAA-style athletics ("Mighty Oaks"), and an acceptance rate variously reported between 68-83% - none of this should be treated as currently reliable given the operational disruption.
- Prospective students and counselors should independently verify current status directly with the university and Indiana's higher education oversight body before treating any admissions information about this school as current.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Oakland City University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Oakland City University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Oakland City University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Oakland City University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Oakland City University Without SAT or ACT?
Oakland City University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Oakland City University Average SAT Score: 1000
The average SAT score of admitted students at Oakland City University is 1000 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1000 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1030 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Oakland City University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 960, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Oakland City University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1000 | 960 | 1030 |
Below 960, you're behind most admitted students; at 1030 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Oakland City University with a 1050 SAT?
A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of Oakland City University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Oakland City University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Oakland City University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Confirm current operational status directly before applying - this school suspended all undergraduate programs in 2026
As of May 19, 2026, Oakland City University announced layoffs of over 100 employees and the suspension/termination of all undergraduate programs, following an April 2026 WARN Act notice and reports of missed employee paychecks in May 2026. Do not rely on any admissions materials, scholarship lists, or program descriptions predating this announcement - contact the university directly, and independently verify through Indiana's higher education authority whether the school is currently accepting or processing any applications at all before investing time in an application.
If you were counting on Oakland City's General Baptist affiliation or specific programs, identify a teach-out or transfer plan immediately
OCU was the only General Baptist Church-affiliated college in the U.S., with programs in Religious Studies, Education, Business, and Health Care historically drawing students specifically for that denominational fit. If you have a General Baptist ministry calling or were pursuing OCU specifically for its Chapman School of Religious Studies, ask the General Association of General Baptists directly about any teach-out arrangements or sister-institution referrals rather than assuming the program still operates as described in older materials.
Do not rely on previously reported acceptance rates, scholarship lists, or NAIA athletics information without direct current verification
Multiple third-party sources report OCU acceptance rates ranging from 68% to 83% and describe active NCAA/NAIA athletics (including a 2026-27 swim program announcement) - all of this reflects the pre-suspension operating state of the university and should not be treated as currently accurate given the 2026 program suspension and layoffs.
If you're a currently enrolled OCU student rather than a prospective applicant, contact the registrar immediately about credit transfer and the "strategic partnership" referenced in the university's public statements
OCU has stated it entered a strategic partnership to avoid closure despite missing payroll, but public details on what this partnership means for currently enrolled students' course completion or degree conferral were limited as of the most recent reporting. Enrolled students should request written, specific guidance from the registrar's office on credit transferability and degree-completion options given the active financial distress.
Expert Insight:
This is a critical status change: Oakland City University announced the suspension/termination of all undergraduate programs and layoffs of over 100 employees effective May 19, 2026, following missed payroll - this fundamentally changes any admissions guidance, and prospective students should not proceed with an application to this school without direct, current confirmation from the university and independent verification of its operational status.
Oakland City University Profile
Full Name
Oakland City University
City
Oakland City
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
47660-1099
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Oakland City University Degree Worth It?
Whether Oakland City University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $52,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.34%.
How much does a degree from Oakland City University Cost?
The sticker price is $39,307/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
31.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 34.7% take federal loans at Oakland City University. File your FAFSA early and list Oakland City University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Oakland City University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $43,283. That's about 7% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Oakland City University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 985 | 20 |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 984 | 20 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Oakland City University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Oakland City University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
Degree Programs at Oakland City University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Oakland City University Admissions
Median earnings for Oakland City University graduates sit around $43,283 a year.
Oakland City University costs roughly $39,307 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 31.9% receive a Pell Grant at Oakland City University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 68.2%, Oakland City University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Oakland City University average a 3.29 GPA.
Oakland City University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.99 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.89, Oakland City University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Oakland City University — aim above 1000, ideally within the 960–1030 range admitted students typically fall in.
Oakland City University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.