Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Private · Moderately Selective · OK

Photo: PeytonLock (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationOK · South

SettingRural

Undergrads673

Student:faculty15:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate20.9%

6-yr grad rate34.8%

Drop-out rate50%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$34k

Out-of-state tuition$34k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity48.7%

Gender diversity45.9%

International5.8%

IdentityWesleyan

Overview

Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a small private evangelical university in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. Its campus culture is outspokenly Christ-centered, more so than at many faith-affiliated schools, and that identity is central to how the university presents itself to prospective students.

Academics

Business, nursing, ministry, and education are the main programs, with faith integration built into coursework across majors rather than confined to a separate religion department.

Campus & student life

Chapel and other faith practices are a regular, expected part of campus rhythm, and the small size of the student body means this shapes daily life directly rather than being an optional add-on some students opt out of.

Worth knowing

The university has drawn national attention at times for public statements from its leadership defending a traditional, unapologetically conservative Christian stance on campus culture, most notably a widely circulated 2015 op-ed from its then-president pushing back on 'safe space' campus culture. Students considering Oklahoma Wesleyan should understand this reflects the university's genuine institutional posture, not an isolated incident.

okwu.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate66.2%

Enrolled mid-50%1080

Test policynot used

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying