Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Oral Roberts University at a Glance
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private Evangelical university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1963, the university is named after its founder, Oral Roberts, a renowned American Charismatic Christian preacher and televangelist.
1963
63 years old
$45M
$45 million (2019)
6,213
2,782 undergrad · 553 grad
323 acres
Identity
Is Oral Roberts University Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Oral Roberts University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,885 — 13% below average — while paying $25,365/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.2-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 58% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Oral Roberts University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Oral Roberts University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #24 of 40 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #2 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #3 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #4 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #5 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | 44 | $22,829 | $57,273 |
| #6 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| #24 | Oral Roberts University | 26 | $25,365 | $46,885 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Oral Roberts University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in OK.
Best Programs at Oral Roberts University
The highest-earning program at Oral Roberts University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Theological and Ministerial Studies at $25,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Oral Roberts University earns $56,600, while a Theological and Ministerial Studies graduate earns $25,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,459 in median debt vs. $30,875 for Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,365/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,600 | $56,600 | $27,459 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,500 | $36,500 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,900 | $32,900 | $23,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,700 | $32,700 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,600 | $28,600 | $23,750 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $25,800 | $25,800 | $30,875 |
Similar Colleges in OK
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Tulsa, OK
- Student Body
- 3,487 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,365
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,885
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000