Is OC affordable compared to other universities?
Yes! OC is committed to keeping higher education affordable. OC has…
- Exceptional tuition value – OC is an excellent value, with tuition less than 60% of the national average for private non-profit 4-year universities. (U.S. News & World Report L.P., College Board)
- Maximized earning potential – A master's degree offers an average 20% pay premium over bachelor's degrees across all industries (nces.ed.gov). OC offers flexible, affordable degree plans for working adults who want to grow their skills and answer the call to more.
- Mitigated inflation-related cost impacts – OC's overall cost increases since 2021 have been significantly below the rate of inflation over the same period.
- Provided affordable dining plans – OC's meal plans are well below the national average of $5,656 (elfi.com). OC provides a wide array of dining options including on-campus restaurants with vegetarian options.
What makes OC a good value?
Students at OC benefit not only from competitive tuition and housing rates, but also from a wide range of scholarships, grants and financial aid opportunities. Academic merit scholarships, service based awards, performance scholarships, church matches and guaranteed programs are just some of the ways students can save. Many students combine multiple scholarships, making OC's net price often more affordable than other public and private universities in the region.
What scholarships and aid programs are available?
We believe every student should have a path to an affordable education– whether they're academically driven, servant-hearted, committed to growing in faith and leadership or all of the above. OC’s scholarships and programs recognize a wide range of strengths, ensuring talented students from all backgrounds can thrive here.
Signature Faith-Based Programs
- Kingdom Way Award – OC is proud to offer a Kingdom Way Award to first time freshman and transfer students who are active in a Christian church. This $3000 award is stackable and renewable for up to eight traditional undergraduate semesters ($12,000 total). Beginning Fall 2026, students can provide minister/pastor contact information for attendance reference to qualify.
Comprehensive Affordability Programs
- Ike's Promise – A scholarship at Oklahoma Christian University that makes tuition FREE after all other scholarships and grants are applied. Available to first-time students who meet specific criteria such as FAFSA SAI <720, full Pell Grant or “Oklahoma's Promise”.
- International Student Aid – International students may receive up to $8,000 in scholarships.
Athletic and Activity Scholarships
- NCAA Sports – Competitive athletic scholarships for NCAA athletics.
- Club Sports – Opportunities for students to participate in several club sports.
Additional Opportunities
Beyond these signature programs, OC also offers merit-based scholarships for strong academic performance, leadership and service awards for students making a difference in their communities, and specialized opportunities in athletics, fine arts and more.
The OC Difference: Quality + Affordability
At OC, affordability never comes at the expense of quality. Students experience a community-focused, Christian environment that nurtures both academic excellence and personal growth and equips graduates for more.
- Small classes, big academics – With a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from personalized attention and mentorship.
- World-class faculty – Learn from Oxford-trained theologians, NASA scientists and bestselling authors dedicated to preparing students for lives of impact. Faculty members personally teach and mentor students in every course.
- Faith and scholarship – OC pairs academic rigor with spiritual formation, reflecting OC's mission to honor Christ in all we do.
- National accreditation – OC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring recognized academic quality.
