Oral Roberts University: History, Accreditation, Degrees, Rankings & Everything You Need To Know

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Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private, interdenominational, charismatic Christian university located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. Founded in 1963 by evangelist Oral Roberts, who believed he was fulfilling a direct command from God, the university opened its doors to students in 1965 and has grown into one of the most recognized Spirit-empowered universities in the world.

ORU offers over 150 undergraduate majors, graduate, and doctoral programs, holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and currently enrolls students from all 50 U.S. states and more than 150 nations. After navigating financial crises and high-profile scandals, the university has experienced 17 consecutive years of enrollment growth under President Dr. William Wilson — a turnaround story that has drawn widespread attention in higher education circles.[IMAGE: Oral Roberts University campus aerial view showing the futuristic architecture and Prayer Tower in Tulsa, Oklahoma]

Overview of Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts University — commonly shortened to ORU — occupies a 323-acre campus on the southern edge of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Its architecture is famously distinctive: a collection of mid-century modernist buildings with a futuristic aesthetic that historian Margaret Grubiak noted was inspired by the spirit of the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. At the campus center stands a 200-foot steel and glass Prayer Tower topped with a perpetually flickering gas flame representing the Holy Spirit. Outside the main entrance stands the most photographed symbol on campus — a 60-foot bronze sculpture of praying hands that has become one of Tulsa’s best-known landmarks.

ORU’s mission, stated since its founding, is to educate “the whole man” — mind, spirit, and body. This holistic framework shapes everything from degree programs to student life requirements, and it is what makes ORU unlike most other universities on earth. You don’t just earn a degree here. You’re expected to develop as a complete person — academically, spiritually, and physically.

The university operates as interdenominational — meaning it is not formally tied to any single denomination — but its theological identity is firmly charismatic and evangelical Christian, rooted in the Pentecostal tradition from which its founder emerged.

History and Founding of Oral Roberts University

Who Founded Oral Roberts University?

The founder of Oral Roberts University is Granville Oral Roberts — one of the most significant and controversial figures in 20th-century American Christianity. Born in 1918 in a rural Oklahoma farmhouse, Roberts grew up poor, the son of a Pentecostal preacher. As a teenager he suffered from tuberculosis and stuttered severely. At age 17, he claimed to be miraculously healed of both conditions during a tent revival — an experience that set the course of his entire life.

Roberts became a faith healer and evangelist, conducting massive tent revival crusades across the United States and eventually the world from the 1940s onward. He was an early and pioneering user of television, broadcasting his healing services nationally from the early 1950s. He was ordained in the Pentecostal Holiness Church, later switched his membership to the United Methodist Church in 1968, and held connections to multiple denominations throughout his ministry — a fluidity that shaped ORU’s own interdenominational character.

Roberts died on December 15, 2009, in Newport Beach, California, from complications of pneumonia at age 91. He had suffered a broken hip in 2006 and recovered from two heart attacks in the 1990s. His legacy is enormous: a television ministry that reached millions, a university that bears his name, and a faith-healing movement that permanently shaped American Pentecostalism.

The Vision Behind the University

Roberts founded the university in 1963, stating publicly that he was obeying a direct command from God. His vision was audacious: to build a fully accredited university that integrated rigorous academic training with Spirit-filled Christian formation and serious physical wellness. He didn’t want a Bible school. He wanted a world-class institution that happened to also be deeply Christian — one that would produce graduates equipped to serve God in every sector of society, not just the church.

Campus construction began in 1963 with a futuristic design that turned heads from the beginning. The first students arrived in 1965. By 1971, enrollment had reached 1,000 and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools granted full accreditation — a significant milestone for a university not yet a decade old.

Early Development — The 1970s and 1980s

The university grew aggressively through its first two decades. The Mabee Center — a multi-purpose arena and performing arts facility — was completed in 1972. ORU added a School of Nursing in 1975, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry in 1978, and a School of Law (the O.W. Coburn School of Law) in 1979. By the early 1980s, graduate degrees were available in business, education, and theology. The campus had expanded to more than 500 acres and 22 buildings.

Then came the City of Faith.

The City of Faith — Ambition, Vision, and Financial Collapse

In 1977, Oral Roberts announced that during a personal prayer time he had received a vision from a 900-foot Jesus who instructed him to build a major medical and research center in Tulsa. The resulting City of Faith Medical and Research Center opened in 1981 — a staggering complex comprising a 60-story clinic, a 30-story hospital, and a 20-story research facility. Its stated mission was to merge the best of prayer with the best of medicine.

The Tulsa medical community was less than enthusiastic. The city already had excess hospital bed capacity, and they questioned whether a massive new hospital was needed. Critics called it grandiose. Then in January 1987, Roberts made one of the most widely reported fundraising appeals in television history: he told his audience that God had informed him he would be “called home” unless he raised $8 million for the university by a specific deadline. The declaration drew national ridicule. A Florida dog-track owner eventually donated the final $1.3 million to ensure Roberts’s survival.

The City of Faith never achieved financial sustainability. The hospital closed in 1989. The School of Medicine and School of Dentistry also closed. The law school had already been shuttered in 1986, with its library transferred to Pat Robertson’s Regent University. The failed City of Faith project left the university carrying significant debt that would shadow it for decades.[IMAGE: Historical photo of the City of Faith Medical and Research Center towers in Tulsa Oklahoma]

Leadership of Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts — Founder and First President

Oral Roberts served as the university’s first president from its founding until January 1993, when he stepped down but retained the title of Chancellor — a position he held until his death in 2009. His personal charisma, his global evangelistic network, and his fundraising ability were the engine that built and expanded the campus through its first three decades, for better and worse.

Richard Roberts — Second President and the 2007 Scandal

Richard Roberts, son of Oral Roberts, succeeded his father as university president in 1993. His tenure ran until November 2007, when he resigned following an explosive financial scandal. Three former ORU professors filed a lawsuit alleging that Richard Roberts and his wife Lindsay had misspent university and ministry funds on a lifestyle of personal luxury: multiple home renovations, personal use of the university jet, and vehicle leases for family members. The suit also alleged illegal political campaign involvement and document destruction after the lawsuit was filed.

At a campus chapel service during the scandal, Richard Roberts reportedly told students that God had instructed him to deny the allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as “about intimidation, blackmail and extortion.” He subsequently resigned, took a leave of absence, and did not return as president. Oral Roberts himself, then 89, came out of semi-retirement in an attempt to stabilize the institution.

The university was simultaneously carrying more than $50 million in debt, and its campus infrastructure had visibly deteriorated. It was, by most accounts, the lowest point in ORU’s history.

Mark Rutland — Third President (2009–2013)

Dr. Mark Rutland served as ORU’s third president from 2009 to 2013, helping stabilize the institution after the Roberts scandal and beginning the process of financial recovery and reputational repair.

William Wilson — Current President and the Turnaround

Dr. William M. Wilson was inaugurated as ORU’s fourth president on September 20, 2013. What has followed is one of the most striking institutional turnarounds in recent American higher education history.

Under Wilson’s leadership, ORU has reported enrollment growth for 17 consecutive years — reaching an all-time high of 7,069 unduplicated students in the 2024–2025 academic year, the first time in the university’s history enrollment has crossed 7,000. The 2024 incoming class was the largest in ORU’s history. International students represent 21% of the student body, with students enrolled from 158 nations in the past five years and from all 50 U.S. states.

Wilson has raised more than $175 million for campus expansion — funding six new buildings and substantial renovations, all debt-free without using tuition dollars. He also serves as Global Chair for Empowered21, an organization focused on the future of the global Spirit-empowered movement, and as Chair of the Pentecostal World Fellowship.[IMAGE: ORU President Dr. William Wilson addressing students at a campus chapel or convocation]

Oral Roberts University Accreditation

Oral Roberts University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This is the same accrediting body that covers institutions like the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. ORU first earned accreditation from the North Central Association (now the HLC) in 1971.

In addition to its regional accreditation, ORU holds membership in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Several individual programs hold their own specialized accreditation:

Nursing: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Social Work: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Education: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Business: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Music Therapy: American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
Theology: Association of Theological Schools (ATS), Commission on Accrediting

ORU’s accreditation status is fully current and in good standing. Students attending ORU are eligible for federal financial aid, and ORU degrees are recognized and accepted by graduate schools and employers nationwide and internationally.

Oral Roberts University Degrees and Academic Programs

ORU offers over 150 undergraduate majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, along with a growing suite of graduate and doctoral degree programs. The university is organized into several colleges and schools:

College of Arts and Cultural Studies

Covering programs in music, visual arts, theatre, communication, and related fields. ORU’s music program is particularly well-regarded and benefits from NASM accreditation.

College of Business

The Fenimore & Fisher College of Business offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business administration, accounting, management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. Accredited by ACBSP.

College of Education

Prepares students for careers in teaching and educational leadership. Accredited by CAEP.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Offers programs in electrical engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, and related technical fields — a growing area of the university’s academic portfolio.

College of Nursing

One of ORU’s most in-demand programs, with CCNE accreditation and strong clinical placement infrastructure.

College of Science and Mathematics

Covers biology, chemistry, mathematics, and pre-professional tracks in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.

Accredited by CSWE, offering undergraduate and graduate social work degrees.

College of Theology and Ministry

Perhaps ORU’s most historically distinctive college, offering degrees in theology, biblical studies, ministry leadership, and Christian counseling. The graduate theological programs hold Association of Theological Schools accreditation.

Online Programs

ORU has invested significantly in online education. Its online program enrollment has grown alongside on-campus enrollment, and many degree programs are fully available online — extending ORU’s reach to students who cannot relocate to Tulsa. This online expansion has been a key driver of the university’s 17 consecutive years of enrollment growth.

Oral Roberts University Ranking

ORU’s rankings have improved significantly during the Wilson era. Here is where the university stands in major rankings as of 2024–2026:

Ranking Source	Ranking
U.S. News & World Report — Regional Universities West (2026)	#72
Wall Street Journal — Student Experience (2024)	#8 in the nation
Niche — Diversity (current)	Top 25 universities in the U.S.

The Wall Street Journal’s #8 ranking for student experience is perhaps the most striking. That ranking is powered by one of the largest independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates ever conducted in the United States, measuring factors like faculty interaction, collaborative learning, and whether students would recommend the school to others.

Is ORU a good university? Based on the data available, yes — particularly for students seeking an integrated Christian learning environment with a strong community culture, diverse international peers, and a genuine commitment to student development beyond the classroom. As with any university, the fit depends on what you’re looking for.

Oral Roberts University Denomination

ORU is officially interdenominational — it does not have formal affiliation with any single denomination or church. However, its theological identity is unmistakably charismatic evangelical Christian. The university emerged from the Pentecostal tradition, its founder Oral Roberts was a Pentecostal minister, and the institution’s emphasis on Spirit-filled living, divine healing, speaking in tongues, and the active work of the Holy Spirit reflects that heritage.

In practice, this means ORU attracts students from a wide range of Protestant backgrounds — Baptist, Methodist, nondenominational, Assembly of God, Anglican, and many others — who share a broadly evangelical Christian faith commitment. It is not uncommon to find students at ORU who come from liturgical traditions and find the charismatic worship culture unfamiliar at first but ultimately enriching.

ORU’s global outreach connects it to the World Assemblies of God Fellowship through its institutional relationships, and its current president chairs the Pentecostal World Fellowship — situating ORU within the heart of global Pentecostal leadership even without formal denominational affiliation.

Oral Roberts University Admissions

How to Apply to ORU

ORU does not accept the Common Application. Prospective students must apply directly through ORU’s own admissions portal at oru.edu. The university maintains a test-optional admissions policy, meaning standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) are not required for admission consideration.

Admission to ORU is relatively accessible. The university’s acceptance rate is high — in recent years, the vast majority of applicants who meet minimum requirements and demonstrate alignment with ORU’s Christian mission are admitted. The university does not seek to be selectively exclusive; it seeks students who genuinely want to grow academically, spiritually, and personally in a faith-based environment.

How Much Is the Application Fee for Oral Roberts University?

ORU periodically waives its application fee, and the university’s admissions office should be consulted for the most current fee information at oru.edu/admissions. Fee waivers are often available and commonly granted.

How Much Are Oral Roberts University School Fees?

As of the 2025–2026 academic year, ORU’s annual tuition and fees are approximately $37,350. Room and board costs are additional. ORU offers institutional scholarships, need-based aid, and a strong commitment to supporting international and first-generation students through dedicated scholarship funds raised by President Wilson’s capital campaigns. Federal financial aid is available to eligible students due to ORU’s HLC accreditation.

Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA early and to contact ORU’s financial aid office directly to understand the full picture of available assistance. In practice, many students pay significantly less than the sticker price after scholarships and aid.

How Religious Is Oral Roberts University?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions about ORU — and it deserves an honest, direct answer. ORU is deeply and intentionally religious. Faith is not a background feature here; it is woven into the fabric of the entire institutional experience.

All students are required to sign and abide by the ORU Honor Code, which includes commitments to abstain from lying, stealing, cursing, drinking alcohol, and using tobacco or illegal substances. The honor code also places restrictions on sexual activity, limiting it to the context of traditional marriage between a man and a woman. Students commit to maintaining physical fitness as part of the “whole person” ethos — in earlier decades this included body fat measurements, though those specific requirements have been relaxed over time.

Chapel attendance is mandatory. The Prayer Tower operates a 24-hour prayer ministry. Prayer is integrated into academics, not treated as a separate religious activity. Faculty members pray with students. The entire culture of the university is organized around the assumption that spiritual development is as important as intellectual or professional development.

For students who share ORU’s Christian convictions, this environment is precisely what they are looking for. For students who don’t, it will feel restrictive. ORU is unapologetic about this. The saying among students is that a violation of the honor code results in a $50 fine — which gave birth to the campus quip: “The wages of sin is $50.”[IMAGE: Oral Roberts University Prayer Tower lit at night with the eternal flame visible at the top]

The Iconic Praying Hands Statue at Oral Roberts University

One of the most recognized Christian art installations in the United States is the pair of praying hands outside the entrance to ORU’s campus. Cast in bronze and standing 60 feet tall, the sculpture was created based on Oral Roberts’s own hands and was installed as a defining symbol of the university’s prayer-centered identity. It weighs approximately 30 tons.

The praying hands have appeared in national news coverage repeatedly over ORU’s history and are a major Tulsa landmark, drawing visitors from across the country and around the world. They have become shorthand for the university in the public imagination — the first thing millions of people associate with the name “Oral Roberts University.”

The statue originally stood at the entrance to the now-closed City of Faith Medical Center before being relocated to its current position at the university’s main entrance.[IMAGE: Oral Roberts University praying hands bronze statue at the campus entrance in Tulsa Oklahoma]

Growth and Global Expansion

Seventeen Consecutive Years of Enrollment Growth

The story of ORU’s enrollment recovery is remarkable by any measure. When President Wilson arrived in 2013, the university was still carrying reputational and financial damage from the 2007 scandal and decades of financial challenges. Enrollment was stagnant. The campus needed significant investment.

Twelve years later, the picture looks completely different. ORU has now reported enrollment growth for 17 consecutive years. In the 2024–2025 academic year, total enrollment surpassed 7,000 unduplicated students for the first time in the university’s history. The 2024 incoming class was the largest in ORU’s history. Full-time residential enrollment has crossed 2,400 students — a level not seen in decades. The residential retention rate stands at 96%, which is exceptionally high for any university and suggests that students who come to ORU overwhelmingly choose to stay.

A Genuinely Global Student Body

ORU’s student body is one of the most internationally diverse of any faith-based university in the United States. In the 2024–2025 academic year, 21% of students were international, representing 129 countries. Over the past five years, students have enrolled from 158 nations and all 50 U.S. states. The top countries of origin include Nigeria, China, Brazil, Mexico, and India.

ORU has also made diversity a priority domestically. Niche ranked ORU among the top 25 most diverse universities in America, with the student body comprising approximately 13.5% African American students, 14.3% Hispanic students, and 18.6% international students in recent semesters. For a private Christian university in Oklahoma, these numbers are genuinely striking.

Campus Expansion Under Wilson

President Wilson has overseen more than $175 million in campus improvements — all funded without new debt or tuition increases. New and renovated buildings include the Fenimore & Fisher College of Business, the Nursing and Engineering Complex, the ONEOK Sports Complex, the Global Learning Center, the Mabee Center renovation, and the David and Barbara Green Centre for Global Leadership. The Learning Resources Center renovation introduced new amenities including an updated library, student services hub, and the Ethne International Beverage Shoppe.

Programs, Ministries, and Spiritual Life

The Prayer Tower and 24-Hour Prayer Ministry

The 200-foot Prayer Tower at the center of ORU’s campus is more than an architectural feature — it is an active ministry. The tower operates a 24-hour prayer line staffed by trained prayer ministers, available to anyone who calls. For decades, the ORU prayer line has been one of the most active prayer ministries in the United States, receiving calls from people across the country facing illness, crisis, grief, and spiritual need.

Empowered21 — Influencing the Future of the Spirit-Empowered Movement

ORU President Dr. William Wilson serves as Global Chair of Empowered21 (E21), an international organization dedicated to influencing the future of the global Spirit-empowered movement. Empowered21 convenes leaders from across the Pentecostal and charismatic world, focuses on the next generation of Spirit-filled believers, and has hosted major global congresses drawing tens of thousands of participants. ORU’s hosting of the inaugural Empowered21 Worship Collective reflects the university’s role at the center of global charismatic Christianity.

Chapel and Spiritual Formation

Mandatory chapel is a defining feature of ORU student life. Chapel services are held regularly throughout the week and feature worship, preaching, and prayer. They are not optional for enrolled students. Faculty, staff, and administrators participate alongside students, reinforcing the culture of shared spiritual community that distinguishes ORU from secular institutions.

Athletics — The Golden Eagles

ORU competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Golden Eagles, competing in The Summit League. The men’s basketball program has produced memorable NCAA Tournament appearances that dramatically raised the university’s national profile. The 2021 NCAA Tournament, in which ORU defeated Ohio State in the first round as a No. 15 seed, generated one of the tournament’s most exciting upsets and introduced millions of sports fans to the university.

Oral Roberts University Weird Rules — The Honor Code Explained

The ORU Honor Code gets a lot of attention online — and yes, some of the historic requirements were unusual enough to earn the “weird rules” label in popular searches. Here is an honest overview of what ORU actually requires:

No alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances — campus-wide, no exceptions.
No lying or stealing.
No profane language.
Sexual activity is restricted to traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Chapel attendance is mandatory.
Physical fitness requirements — students are expected to participate in fitness activities as part of the whole-person development model. In earlier decades, this included body fat measurements and aerobics requirements. These have been significantly relaxed, and today’s fitness requirements are less intrusive than the original vision.
Public displays of affection were historically cited and regulated, though current enforcement is far less strict than in the founding era.

In the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, the dress code was famously rigid. Today, students themselves note that the dress culture has relaxed substantially — one alumnus described it as similar to a public state university, except men don’t wear earrings. The culture has softened while the core commitments remain. If you sign the honor code, you are expected to live by it. Violations can result in fines or disciplinary action.

For students who share ORU’s values, the honor code is not experienced as restrictive — it is experienced as a framework for accountability among like-minded people. For students who don’t share those values, ORU is probably not the right fit. The university makes this clear from the beginning, and the honor code is no secret during the admissions process.

Criticisms and Controversies

The City of Faith — National Ridicule

Oral Roberts’s 1987 televised announcement that God would “call him home” unless he raised $8 million for the university became one of the most mocked fundraising moments in American religious history. Critics saw it as emotional manipulation of donors, using the threat of the founder’s death as leverage for institutional funding. Oral Roberts maintained he was faithfully reporting what God had communicated to him. The episode permanently shaped public perception of both the man and the institution he built.

The 2007 Richard Roberts Scandal

The most damaging episode in ORU’s institutional history was the 2007 scandal surrounding President Richard Roberts. The specific allegations — multiple home renovations at university expense, a university jet used for a daughter’s Bahamas vacation, vehicles purchased for family members, tens of thousands spent on personal clothing, and inappropriate text messaging to underage individuals — were detailed, specific, and widely reported by national media. Roberts resigned. The university acknowledged it was carrying more than $50 million in debt. The campus Prayer Tower was literally showing rust.

The scandal raised serious questions about accountability structures at faith-based institutions: what happens when the founder’s family runs the institution without adequate independent oversight? ORU’s board of regents moved to restructure governance and appoint outside leadership — eventually resulting in the hiring of Mark Rutland and subsequently William Wilson.

Theological Critiques

ORU’s charismatic theological identity has drawn criticism from Reformed and conservative evangelical quarters for what critics characterize as an overemphasis on subjective spiritual experience and prosperity-adjacent teaching. The university’s association with its founder’s health-and-wealth theology — particularly Oral Roberts’s development of “Seed-Faith” giving (the idea that financial donations to the ministry “plant seeds” that God multiplies back to the giver) — has been a sustained point of critique.

Honor Code and LGBTQ Inclusion

ORU’s honor code restricts sexual activity to traditional marriage and does not affirm same-sex relationships. This places the university in direct tension with contemporary expectations around LGBTQ inclusion and has drawn criticism from advocacy groups. ORU’s position is consistent with its theological convictions and with those of most evangelical Christian institutions, though it limits the university’s appeal to students and faculty who hold different views.

Interesting Facts About Oral Roberts University

The 60-foot praying hands bronze sculpture at ORU’s entrance was cast based on Oral Roberts’s own hands and weighs approximately 30 tons.
At its peak in the early 1980s, ORU was the number-one tourist attraction in the entire state of Oklahoma — beating out natural and historical landmarks. People came specifically to see the futuristic campus.
The honor code fine for certain violations was famously $50 — prompting the campus saying: “The wages of sin is $50.”
ORU’s online graduate program enrollment has grown significantly alongside its residential enrollment, making it a genuinely hybrid institution rather than a purely residential campus.
ORU’s 2021 NCAA Tournament upset of Ohio State as a No. 15 seed remains one of the most memorable first-round results in recent tournament history and dramatically raised the university’s national visibility overnight.
The Prayer Tower’s perpetual gas flame at its top has burned continuously since the tower was constructed — representing the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit on campus.
Under President Wilson, ORU has raised over $175 million for capital improvements without going into debt or raising tuition — a financial governance achievement that stands in stark contrast to the institution’s near-collapse in 2007.
Oral Roberts famously claimed a vision of a 900-foot Jesus told him to build the City of Faith hospital — a claim that generated more mainstream media coverage (much of it mocking) than almost any other moment in American religious broadcasting history.

Timeline of Oral Roberts University

1918: Oral Roberts born in rural Oklahoma.
1935: Roberts claims miraculous healing from tuberculosis and stuttering at a tent revival.
1947: Roberts launches his healing crusade ministry.
1954: Roberts begins broadcasting nationally on television.
1963: Oral Roberts University founded; campus construction begins.
1965: First students admitted to ORU.
1971: Enrollment reaches 1,000; full accreditation granted by North Central Association.
1972: Mabee Center completed.
1975: School of Nursing established.
1978: Schools of Medicine and Dentistry established.
1979: O.W. Coburn School of Law opens.
1981: City of Faith Medical and Research Center opens.
1986: Law school closes; library transferred to Regent University.
1987: Oral Roberts’s televised “$8 million or be called home” fundraising appeal draws national attention.
1989: City of Faith hospital and Schools of Medicine and Dentistry close due to financial difficulties.
1993: Oral Roberts steps down as president; Richard Roberts becomes second president.
1996: Golden Eagle Broadcasting (satellite TV network) founded.
2007: Richard Roberts resigns amid financial misconduct allegations; university carries over $50 million in debt.
2009: Oral Roberts dies in Newport Beach, California, age 91. Dr. Mark Rutland becomes third president.
2013: Dr. William Wilson inaugurated as fourth president; turnaround era begins.
2021: ORU’s men’s basketball team defeats Ohio State in NCAA Tournament as a No. 15 seed.
2024: ORU reports largest incoming class in history; 16th consecutive year of enrollment growth.
2025: Total enrollment surpasses 7,000 for the first time in university history; 17th consecutive year of growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Roberts University

Is Oral Roberts University a good university?

Yes — particularly for students seeking a Christian, Spirit-empowered educational environment. ORU is regionally accredited, ranked #8 in the nation for student experience by the Wall Street Journal (2024), and has experienced 17 consecutive years of enrollment growth. Its diversity ranking (top 25 nationally per Niche) and strong graduate program expansion further support its academic credibility. Whether it is the right choice depends on your personal faith commitments and expectations for campus life.

What denomination is Oral Roberts University?

ORU is interdenominational — it has no formal affiliation with a single denomination. However, it is theologically charismatic evangelical Christian, rooted in the Pentecostal tradition of its founder Oral Roberts. Students from a wide range of Protestant backgrounds attend ORU, united by a shared evangelical Christian faith commitment.

Is Oral Roberts University accredited?

Yes. ORU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It first earned accreditation in 1971. Multiple individual programs hold additional specialized accreditations from bodies including CCNE (nursing), CSWE (social work), CAEP (education), ACBSP (business), and AMTA (music therapy). ORU degrees are eligible for federal financial aid and are accepted by graduate schools and employers.

How much is Oral Roberts University tuition?

Tuition and fees are approximately $37,350 per year as of 2025–2026. ORU offers institutional scholarships, need-based aid, and dedicated funding for international and first-generation students. Most students receive financial assistance that reduces their out-of-pocket costs significantly. Students should complete the FAFSA and contact ORU’s financial aid office for a personalized estimate.

What degrees does Oral Roberts University offer?

ORU offers over 150 undergraduate majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs, along with graduate and doctoral degrees. Major fields include theology and ministry, business, nursing, engineering, computer science, education, social work, communication, music, and arts. Many programs are also available fully online.

What are Oral Roberts University’s “weird rules”?

ORU’s Honor Code requires students to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances, profanity, and lying. It restricts sexual activity to traditional marriage and requires mandatory chapel attendance. Physical fitness participation is also required. In earlier decades, requirements included body fat measurements and strict dress codes — both of which have been significantly relaxed. The current student culture is noticeably more casual than the founding era, though core commitments remain. A historic violation fine of $50 gave rise to the campus quip: “The wages of sin is $50.”

What happened to Oral Roberts University’s City of Faith?

The City of Faith Medical and Research Center — a massive hospital and research complex Oral Roberts built after claiming a vision from a 900-foot Jesus — opened in 1981 and closed in 1989 due to severe financial difficulties. The buildings, now known as CityPlex Towers, have since been repurposed as commercial office space. The medical school and dental school that were affiliated with it also closed in 1989.

What is the current enrollment at Oral Roberts University?

As of the 2024–2025 academic year, ORU’s total unduplicated enrollment is 7,069 students — a historic high for the university. Fall 2024 residential enrollment stood at 5,936, including 2,245 residential students. International students represent 21% of the student body, from 129 countries. The university has experienced 17 consecutive years of enrollment growth.

What are the Oral Roberts University praying hands?

The praying hands are a 60-foot bronze sculpture at the main entrance of ORU’s campus. Cast based on Oral Roberts’s own hands, they are one of the most recognized works of Christian public art in the United States and a defining Tulsa landmark. Originally located at the City of Faith Medical Center, they were moved to their current location at the university entrance.