For the 15th Consecutive Year, Enrollment Growth Continues at ORU
For the 15th Consecutive Year,
Enrollment Growth Continues at ORU
Welcoming the largest freshman class in ORU’s history for Fall 2023
Tulsa, Okla.—For the 15th consecutive year, Oral Roberts University (ORU) increased enrollment, with the 2023 Fall Census reporting 5,365 students. The incoming class exceeded 1,000 residential students, including the largest group of on-campus freshmen in ORU’s history. ORU also expanded its global reach with 19.9% international students from 129 countries and, once again, enrolled students from all 50 states. After two years of historic graduation rates, ORU saw strong retention among returning residential students with increases in online and graduate programs.
“Students from around the world are attracted to ORU’s whole-person education and a university experience that encourages and develops their faith,” said ORU President Dr. William Wilson. “Our historic growth results from connecting to a generation with a profound sense of purpose who eagerly want to impact their world. Students and their families are seeking rigorous academic excellence but also desire something else; they want a community where biblical truth is embraced and spiritual dynamics expressed. The demand for a value-driven college degree has never been greater, and as this continues to increase, ORU guarantees students one of America’s most diverse communities and an enriching educational experience.”
“We are excited to see the demand for an ORU education continuously increasing around the world,” said Alison Vujnovic, Vice President of Enrollment Management. “The Lord continues to draw this generation who are attracted by ORU’s mission to develop whole-person leaders. It is amazing to see what is happening on this campus and how ORU is equipping our students to impact the world.”
With enrollment reaching historic numbers, ORU has been expanding debt-free to further serve its students. Additions to the campus include the new J.D. McKean Library, the ORU Welcome Center, the Mike Carter Athletic Center, and the Media Arts Center, which is currently under construction. These new structures complete Phase One of the Whole Leaders for the Whole World Campaign (WLWW), and the development of Phase Two is well underway. Please click here to learn more about the WLWW campaign.
In this historic moment, we asked some students to share their ORU experience:
“ORU serves as a nurturing ground for individuals to develop their leadership abilities. I've learned to be responsible in managing and using the talents and abilities within me, ensuring they are not squandered.”
“ORU has been a place where I get to encounter the Lord and have more alone time with
Him. God has become more real to me here, and I am being transformed from the inside
out in
mind, body, and Spirit.”
“My time at ORU has been everything I hoped for. The community and culture are unlike any other university. Academically, I am surrounded by high-achieving students and ambitious individuals. The professors instill excellence in us so we can be sent to lead wherever we are in the world.”
“Attending ORU has helped me grow as a whole person…mind, body, and spirit. I am only
a freshman and have already experienced so much. I am being academically and spiritually
equipped for
my future career.”
ORU continues to be recognized as a leading university, being named by the Princeton Review as a Best Regional College Southwest. In the most recent college rankings done by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Rankings, ORU placed 8th among all national colleges and universities for student experience. This new category rates the best colleges in the United States “for students to have a great experience while attending.” This ranking is powered by one of the largest-ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates. Niche recognized ORU as a “Top 25 Most Diverse College in America” and, for the second consecutive year, the most diverse college in Oklahoma.
“With 15 consecutive years of enrollment growth, people ask, ‘What are you doing as a university to be so successful?’” said ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson. “First of all, we give God the glory for His blessing over the last 15 years. We do not take this for granted. We know that He is the one who provides the increase. Sixteen years ago, ORU made a significant change and moved to a shared governance model with solid Board of Trustees oversight and a commitment to good stewardship. Since then, the board, faculty, and administration have united in planning the future of the University and have found that moving forward in unity has made us strong. We have made numerous commitments, including reaching more international students, excelling in our use of technology, improving our facilities, increasing our program offerings, recruiting exceptional talent for faculty and staff positions, creating a fun and uplifting environment on campus, and embracing a strong spiritual ethos for our students. We are currently in a spiritual, academic, and institutional revival at ORU, and we are grateful to God for His favor.”
Pictured (left to right): Vice President of Global Learning and Innovation Michael
Mathews,
Director of New Student Relations Joseph Sims, Director of Student Success Juli Atkinson,
ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson, Director of Graduate & Career Services Dr. Billon
Constable, and Vice President of Enrollment Management Alison Vujnovic
ABOUT ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with over a decade of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 150 nations (from 2019 to 2023) to be whole leaders for the whole world.
The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2024). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche recognizes ORU as one of the most diverse colleges in America, # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest.
ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:
- #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
- #2 in Most International Students
- #3 in Best Value
- #6 in Best College for Veterans
- #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West
For more information, visit www.oru.edu.