About Oakland City University
Oakland City University was founded in 1885 when the Educational Board of General Baptists gained a charter from the state of Indiana to operate a college in Oakland City. The first classes, in 1891, were held on 10 acres of land donated by Colonel William A. Cockrum, in a two-story building that housed both the administration offices and classrooms. In 1995 Oakland City College was granted university status, becoming Oakland City University. Originally founded with the intent to see that the gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed through education, the university is proud to continue towards the same mission today.
There are five schools that make up the variety of programs available to Oakland City University students, offering degrees ranging from the associate’s level all the way up to doctoral degrees:
- The School of Arts and Sciences
- The School of Business
- The School of Education
- The Chapman School of Religious Studies
- The Chapman Seminary
Oakland City University offers select degrees completely online at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. OCU online degrees emphasize such key principles as organizational capabilities, information technology and literacy, discipline inquiry, communication skills, and ethics and morality. These online programs are designed to meet the needs of busy adults.
Accreditation & Licensing
Oakland City University is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Type:
4-year, Private not-for-profitHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
General BaptistEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 597 ; Graduate: 183Percent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 32% ; Graduate: 34%Graduation Rate:
66%Transfer Rate:
11%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$43,283Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$16,758Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
92%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$25,683Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesCredit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Oakland City University
All Programs
Oakland City University offers a guided path to graduation, not a go-it-alone model. Advisors help students from admission through graduation and stay in touch during classes. That steady support can help working adults keep moving forward.
The online format has clear structure. Classes often include group work and discussion, so weekly participation is important. Workload can vary by instructor, and some courses rely heavily on reading and tests.
Students are more likely to finish on time when they plan each week well. A realistic credit load also helps students stay on track.
Support is a real strength at Oakland City University. Counselors stay in touch during classes and guide students from admission to graduation. That steady help gives students one trusted point of contact over time, not just at the start.
Professors are easy to reach for questions and help with classwork. Daily support feels close and practical when work gets busy. Class style and workload can differ by instructor, but the school stays dependable. Students can count on reachable staff, responsive faculty, and steady guidance when demands rise.
Online classes are organized and structured for working adults. The format is not fully self-paced. Group work and class discussions are part of the routine. That creates regular touchpoints and a clear weekly flow.
The schedule can work for busy lives. The pace still expects steady effort each week. Some classes are reading-heavy and test-heavy. Instructor style can vary across courses. Professors are available when help is needed.
Classes at Oakland City University are not all taught the same way. Some courses have lively discussion and strong class interaction. Others lean more on reading and tests, and grading can be firm. The pace can vary by instructor.
Professors are easy to reach, which helps when work gets heavier. Advising support starts at admissions and continues through graduation, with regular check-ins during classes.
This people-first approach helps students adjust as course demands change. Overall, Oakland City University is a good fit for learners who want engaged classes, clear structure, and direct support in a faith-centered setting.
Oakland City University has a generally positive feel. A key strength is access to people who help. Counselors stay involved from admission to graduation. They also check in during classes.
Professors are easy to reach when questions come up. Online classes are built for working adults. Courses use group work and class discussion. This is a guided format, not fully self-paced.
That structure helps many students stay on track. Class style can vary by instructor. Some courses are active and discussion-based. Others focus more on reading and tests. The school is a strong fit for students who want steady support, clear structure, and a faith-centered environment.
Oakland City University has a generally positive feel. A key strength is access to people who help. Counselors stay involved from admission to graduation. They also check in during classes.
Professors are easy to reach when questions come up. Online classes are built for working adults. Courses use group work and class discussion. This is a guided format, not fully self-paced.
That structure helps many students stay on track. Class style can vary by instructor. Some courses are active and discussion-based. Others focus more on reading and tests. The school is a strong fit for students who want steady support, clear structure, and a faith-centered environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oakland City University
Is Oakland City University accredited?
Yes. Oakland City University is institutionally accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
How many online programs does Oakland City University offer?
Oakland City University offers 2 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Oakland City University offer?
Oakland City University is focused on master's-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Oakland City University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Oakland City University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Oakland City University falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Oakland City University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Oakland City University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Oakland City University programs require?
Most listed programs require a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Is Oakland City University military friendly?
Oakland City University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from Oakland City University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Oakland City University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Resume/CV, Official College Transcript(s), and Recommendation/Reference Letter(s). Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Oakland City University accept life experience credit?
Oakland City University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Oakland City University programs fully online or mixed?
Oakland City University programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
Do any Oakland City University programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Oakland City University?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Oakland City University programs have state authorization limitations?
Some programs show state or location restrictions, so students should confirm eligibility for their state before applying. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Oakland City University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Oakland City University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Oakland City University programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Oakland City University program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Oakland City University is featured in 7 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
Oakland City University is located in Indiana
Indiana at a Glance:

Top Majors in Indiana:
Top Incentives in Indiana:
- 21st Century Scholarship: Full tuition at public institutions
Top Career Pathways in Indiana:
- Entry Level: Process Engineer ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Manufacturing Manager ($95,000)
- Senior Level: Plant Director ($140,000+)
- Required Education: BS Engineering
- Certifications: Six Sigma, PE








