Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Shawnee, Oklahoma
55.7% Acceptance Rate
Oklahoma Baptist University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
55.7%Acceptance Rate
3.68Avg GPA
1173Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$46,950Annual Cost
$48,434Grad Salary
30.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
55.7%
Avg GPA
3.68
Avg SAT
1173
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1000–1190
ACT Middle 50%
20–28
Need-Based Aid
30.7% receive Pell
Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma Baptist University, founded in 1910 in Shawnee, is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. The 200-acre campus offers comprehensive programs with a foundation in Christian worldview across disciplines. OBU maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and is particularly known for its nursing, business, and biblical studies programs. Campus features include the 90,000-square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center and the newly renovated Agee Residence Center. OBU's Warren Theater program provides unique opportunities in arts management.
OBU takes pride in its integration of faith and learning through its distinctive 'OBU Core' curriculum. Campus life includes weekly chapel services, mission trips, and NCAA Division II athletics. The university has expanded its STEM offerings while maintaining strong programs in traditional disciplines. Recent initiatives include the Nursing Simulation Center and the Paul Dickinson Business Center. OBU's combination of academic excellence, Christian environment, and commitment to global engagement prepares graduates for meaningful careers and service.
Oklahoma Baptist University Acceptance Rate
At 55.7%, admission to Oklahoma Baptist University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Oklahoma Baptist 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 — 55.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.68 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.48 – 3.67
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.23
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Oklahoma Baptist University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Oklahoma Baptist 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
Oklahoma Baptist 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 (Scholarship Priority: 2026/02/01) 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.
Oklahoma Baptist University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Oklahoma Baptist University is 3.68. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.38 and 3.68? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.88–4.08.Oklahoma Baptist University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.68 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.48 – 3.67
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.28 – 3.47
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.27
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional, no letters of recommendation required for general admission, average admitted SAT around 1095 / ACT around 22.
- Full Tuition University Scholarship requires a distinct essay, letter of recommendation, resume, and FAFSA-by-February-1 timeline.
- OBU offers a campus "Residual ACT" testing option for scholarship qualification purposes.
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional specialized accreditation in fields like education and business.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 Oklahoma Baptist University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Oklahoma Baptist University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Oklahoma Baptist University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Oklahoma Baptist University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Oklahoma Baptist University Without SAT or ACT?
Oklahoma Baptist University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Oklahoma Baptist University Average SAT Score: 1173
Admitted students at Oklahoma Baptist University average a 1173 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1173 — Less Competitive
A 1173 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Oklahoma Baptist University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1000? A retake is worth it at Oklahoma Baptist University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 540 | 490 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 510 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1173 | 1000 | 1190 |
A score under 1000 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1190+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Oklahoma Baptist University with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Oklahoma Baptist University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Oklahoma Baptist University ACT Requirements
Oklahoma Baptist University's admitted students average an ACT of 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 24 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 28 |
Can I get into Oklahoma Baptist University with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of Oklahoma Baptist University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Oklahoma Baptist University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Oklahoma Baptist University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Oklahoma Baptist University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Treat the University Scholar essay as the real admissions lever, not the general application
OBU's general application doesn't require an essay, but the flagship Full Tuition University Scholarship requires a separate 500?1,000 word essay (choice of prompts tied to OBU's mission statement or an imagined 10-year-reunion reflection), a recommendation letter, and a resume - a student with strong stats should be pointed here explicitly, since it's easy to submit the plain application and never learn this exists.
Register for the OBU Residual ACT if test scores are the weak point
OBU offers its own "Residual ACT" administered on campus through its Testing Center, with a hard deadline (recently January 12) for University Scholar qualification - this is a genuine second chance at a qualifying score distinct from a national test date, and it's underused simply because families don't know it exists.
File FAFSA by February 1 specifically for University Scholar consideration
Beyond the general priority FAFSA deadline, University Scholar candidates have their own February 1 target to minimize out-of-pocket cost - missing this narrower window can mean losing scholarship-linked aid packaging even if the student is otherwise admitted.
Understand the University Scholarship's credit-hour ceiling before building a course plan
The award caps at 16 hours per semester for eight semesters (or until degree completion) and explicitly does not apply to summer term - a student planning to overload credits or take heavy summer terms needs to know this scholarship won't stretch to cover that, which affects four-year graduation planning.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes treat OBU's ~56% acceptance rate and test-optional policy as meaning the process is low-stakes across the board - but the University Scholar track, which carries the biggest financial upside, has its own essay, letter, resume, and deadline stack that's completely separate and easy to miss if only the general application gets filled out.
Oklahoma Baptist University Profile
Full Name
Oklahoma Baptist University
City
Shawnee
State
Oklahoma
ZIP Code
74804
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Oklahoma Baptist University Degree Worth It?
At $46,950/year against a $48,434 median graduate salary, Oklahoma Baptist University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $59,300, and graduates see a 2.97% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Oklahoma Baptist University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $46,950/year at Oklahoma Baptist University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Oklahoma Baptist University, 30.7% receive a Pell Grant and 44.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Oklahoma Baptist University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Oklahoma Baptist University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Oklahoma Baptist University graduates report a median income of $48,434, about 19% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Oklahoma Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Oklahoma Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Oklahoma Baptist University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Oklahoma Baptist University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma Baptist University Admissions
Oklahoma Baptist University graduates earn a lower median salary of $48,434/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Oklahoma Baptist University is moderate, around $46,950/year; many students supplement with aid.
30.7% of Oklahoma Baptist University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Oklahoma Baptist University's acceptance rate is 55.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Oklahoma Baptist University students is 3.68, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.38 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Oklahoma Baptist University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.28 or below makes admission tougher at Oklahoma Baptist University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Oklahoma Baptist University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1173, and within the 1000–1190 range, keeps you competitive.
Oklahoma Baptist University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Scholarship Priority: 2026/02/01. That's Oklahoma Baptist University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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