Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Tulsa, Oklahoma
98.6% Acceptance Rate
Oral Roberts University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.6%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1183Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$47,367Annual Cost
$46,885Grad Salary
33.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.6%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1183
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1083–1250
ACT Middle 50%
22–27
Need-Based Aid
33.5% receive Pell
Oral Roberts University is a private, Christian comprehensive university in Oklahoma known for its focus on the "whole person" spirit, mind, and body. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic achievement, character, and a demonstrated commitment to living the university's values. The university seeks individuals who are ready to engage in a rigorous education that integrates their professional goals with a strong spiritual and ethical foundation.
Applicants should highlight their history of participation in church or community activities, as these reflect the university's mission-focused and service-oriented culture. Demonstrating a clear approach to one's future career plans and explaining how a faith-centered, holistic education will facilitate those goals is a strong way to impress the admissions committee. The university looks for students who will contribute to its supportive, community-oriented campus environment and who have a track record of being responsible and engaged members of their local community.
Oral Roberts University Acceptance Rate
Oral Roberts University (ORU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 98.6% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 98.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Oral Roberts University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Oral Roberts 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
ORU 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 (2026/12/01 (competitive scholarship priority)) 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.
ORU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at ORU is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.70–3.90.ORU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- All full-time undergraduates (12+ credit hours) must enroll in and pass an HPE activity course every semester; failure creates "HPE deficient" status that blocks graduation until resolved.
- A swimming proficiency test is required for most undergraduates, with exemptions limited to graduate students, online/lifelong learners, and students 45+.
- The Whole Person Scholarship has its own ACT-linked eligibility threshold distinct from general admission requirements, per direct student accounts.
- ORU's acceptance rate runs around 99%, making it broadly accessible academically, but its ongoing physical-fitness graduation requirement is a structurally binding element unusual among comparable universities.
- 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 ORU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Oral Roberts 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.
Oral Roberts University (ORU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if ORU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into ORU Without SAT or ACT?
ORU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Oral Roberts University Average SAT Score: 1183
The average SAT score of admitted students at Oral Roberts University is 1183 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1183 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1250 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Oral Roberts 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 1083, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at ORU. 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 | 572 | 533 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 550 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1183 | 1083 | 1250 |
Below 1083, you're behind most admitted students; at 1250 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 1200
Can I get into Oral Roberts University (ORU) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of ORU'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.
Oral Roberts University (ORU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at ORU is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 19 | 25 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 27 |
Can I get into Oral Roberts University with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of ORU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at ORU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ORU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
ORU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Budget real weekly time for the mandatory Health, Physical Education (HPE) requirement - it affects every semester, not just orientation
ORU requires all full-time undergraduates (12+ credit hours) to enroll in and pass an HPE activity course every single semester as part of its "Whole Person" mission - a binding, ongoing academic requirement (not a one-time freshman fitness class), and students who fail to complete or enroll become "HPE deficient," which blocks graduation until resolved. Students should factor an HPE course into their schedule every semester from the start, and understand that skipping even one semester creates a deficiency requiring two HPE courses the following term to correct - proactive scheduling avoids compounding the requirement.
Take the swimming proficiency test seriously as a real graduation gate, not a formality
ORU's physical fitness framework includes a swimming proficiency test, with exemptions only for graduate students, online/lifelong learning students, and those 45 or older - meaning most incoming undergraduates, including non-swimmers, must pass this test as part of degree requirements. Students without strong swimming skills should ask about available swim instruction or practice resources during orientation rather than waiting until the requirement becomes a late-stage obstacle to graduation.
Target the Whole Person Scholarship by maximizing ACT score specifically, based on direct student feedback
Current-student accounts specifically describe improving ACT scores as necessary not just for admission but specifically for Whole Person Scholarship eligibility - suggesting the scholarship has its own ACT-linked threshold distinct from general admission requirements. Students aiming for this scholarship should treat ACT score improvement as a direct financial-aid lever, not just an admissions checkbox, and should confirm the current specific ACT threshold with the financial aid office rather than assuming any qualifying score secures the award.
Use the essay and extracurricular narrative to show "whole person" alignment specifically, not just generic well-roundedness
Because ORU's mission and evaluation criteria explicitly emphasize mental, spiritual, and physical growth as a unified "whole person" framework (not just academics plus activities as separate boxes to check), student accounts suggest admissions readers are specifically looking for evidence connecting volunteer work, personal growth, and spiritual life into a coherent narrative, rather than a generic list of achievements. Applicants should frame their essay and activity list around this specific three-part "mind, body, spirit" lens Harding - Oral Roberts uses, rather than submitting a standard resume-style extracurricular list.
Expert Insight:
Because ORU's overall acceptance rate is around 99% and it's frequently described as "not selective," applicants and families risk underestimating how binding and structurally significant the university's physical fitness requirements are - HPE deficiency is a real graduation blocker, not a minor policy footnote, and it applies to every full-time undergraduate every semester regardless of major. Treating ORU as academically low-stakes because of its high acceptance rate overlooks this genuinely unusual, ongoing structural requirement that doesn't exist at comparable universities.
ORU Profile
Full Name
Oral Roberts University (ORU)
City
Tulsa
State
Oklahoma
ZIP Code
74171
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a ORU Degree Worth It?
ORU offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $63,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.21%.
How much does a degree from ORU Cost?
The sticker price is $47,367/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
33.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 46.2% take federal loans at ORU. File your FAFSA early and list ORU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a ORU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,885. That's about 15% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Oral Roberts 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 |
| 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 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Oral Roberts 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 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Oral Roberts 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 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at ORU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About ORU Admissions
Median earnings for Oral Roberts University graduates sit around $46,885 a year.
Oral Roberts University costs roughly $47,367 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 33.5% receive a Pell Grant at Oral Roberts University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 98.6%, Oral Roberts University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Oral Roberts University average a 3.5 GPA.
Oral Roberts University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.1, Oral Roberts 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 Oral Roberts University — aim above 1183, ideally within the 1083–1250 range admitted students typically fall in.
Oral Roberts University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/12/01 (competitive scholarship priority). 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.
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