At $23,600/yr net price, Oral Roberts University graduates earn $46,885/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,885/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,600 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,885/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,885/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,412/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,625/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,588/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,615/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,477/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,221 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $57,995 | |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $26,917 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $53,608 | $20,003 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $44,189 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $21,750 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries. | Master | $35,416 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $25,946 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Doctoral | $33,993 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,755 | $25,250 |
The Risk Factor
53.9% of students at Oral Roberts University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Oral Roberts University gives you a mixed financial return that depends heavily on what you study. At $23,600 a year in net price, you pay real money for a degree that leads to median earnings under $47,000 a decade out. That gap is thin, and it means your major choice does most of the work.
Nursing, accounting, and engineering are where the money is. Each clears $57,000, comfortably above the school-wide median, and the debt load stays close to $27,000, so a nursing or engineering graduate here can service that debt without strain. Marketing drops to the low $40,000s, and business administration is the weak spot: $33,993 in earnings against nearly $26,000 in debt. If you borrow the full amount for a business management degree, you are paying private-school prices for public-community-college outcomes.
The clearest risk is the 53.9% graduation rate. Nearly half of you will not finish in the tracked window, and debt without a degree is the worst outcome ORU can hand you. The 81% retention rate says most of you come back for year two, so the losses come later.
The net price tiers run backwards from what you might expect. Families earning $30-48k pay less than the lowest bracket, around $18,600, while families over $110k pay close to $29,500. Aid here rewards the lower-middle band most.
ORU is a good financial fit for you if you enter nursing, accounting, or engineering and finish on time. If you plan to major in general business administration and borrow heavily, look elsewhere or start at a cheaper school. The name of your major matters more than the name of the school here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oral Roberts University worth the cost?
Oral Roberts University's $23,600 annual net price leads to median earnings of $46,885 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. With a 54% graduation rate and $27,000 in typical debt, the financial return is modest unless you pursue high-paying programs like nursing or engineering.
What are the best paying majors at Oral Roberts University?
Nursing programs at Oral Roberts University offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $58,221 annually. Accounting ($57,995) and engineering ($57,318) also provide solid returns, while theology graduates typically earn $44,189.
How much debt do Oral Roberts University graduates have?
Oral Roberts University graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with average earnings of $46,885, graduates may struggle to pay off loans quickly unless they enter high-paying fields.
Does Oral Roberts University have good job placement after graduation?
Only 54% of students graduate from Oral Roberts University within six years, which raises concerns about completion and job readiness. Career outcomes vary significantly by major, with nursing and business graduates faring much better than those in lower-paying programs.