Online College Review: Oral Roberts University Online (ORU)

January 15, 2026

Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private evangelical university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded in 1963 by Charismatic Christian preacher Oral Roberts. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and holds twelve additional programmatic and specialized accreditations including CCNE for nursing, CSWE for social work, ATS for theology, ABET for engineering, CAEP for teacher preparation, and ACBSP for business. Total enrollment is approximately 5,000-5,365, including roughly 2,109 students enrolled exclusively online, drawing from all 50 states and more than 115 countries.

ORU’s online platform, ORU Online, offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across business, nursing, healthcare administration, theology, education, behavioral sciences, psychology, IT, and interdisciplinary studies. At the graduate level, online per-credit rates run from $550 to $715 depending on the program, which positions ORU competitively within the faith-based university market. The institution’s Charismatic/Pentecostal identity is explicit and foundational. As with SEU reviewed earlier in this series, faith integration at ORU is not optional or a secondary feature. It is the organizing philosophy of the institution, and prospective students should understand exactly what that means before enrolling.

Quick Facts Oral Roberts University Online (ORU) (2026)
Location Tulsa, Oklahoma (385-acre main campus); online programs delivered to students in all 50 states and 115+ countries via NC-SARA authorization; partner site locations in Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, and Indiana
Founded 1963 by Oral Roberts; private evangelical nonprofit; Charismatic/Pentecostal character; interdenominational but Holy Spirit-focused mission; CCCU member
Total enrollment ~5,000-5,365 total; ~2,109 exclusively online (NCES 2024-25); 105 online completers last year; 6 colleges; 150+ programs
Institutional accreditation ; in good standing since 1971; NC-SARA member for online students in 49 states + DC + Puerto Rico + USVI
On-campus UG tuition (2024-25) $35,470/year; ~$1,400/credit part-time; 69% of students receive grants/scholarships; avg aid $18,780; net price after aid approximately $24,347
Online graduate rates (confirmed from ORU financial aid page) MSN: $550/credit | MHA: $550/credit | Master of Divinity: $715/credit | DNP: $640/credit | Doctor of Strategic Leadership: $640/credit | General graduate residential: ~$740-756/credit
Online undergraduate rates ORU’s online UG programs may be priced differently from on-campus rate; verify current online-specific UG per-credit rate at oru.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/online/
Online programs offered 24 online programs across 8 areas: Business Management, Information Technology, Psychology, Nursing, Interdisciplinary Studies, Education, Theology, Behavioral Sciences
Key programmatic accreditations (nursing programs, BSN through DNP); (social work programs); (Graduate School of Theology and Ministry: MDiv, MA Biblical Literature, MA Theological/Historical Studies, MA Christian Counseling, MA Missions, MA Practical Theology, DMin); (Fenimore & Fisher Graduate School of Business; note: MBA in Leadership accreditation was listed as in process — verify current status at acbsp.org); (educator preparation); ABET (engineering); NASM (music); AMTA (music therapy)
Critical disclosure: Counseling programs The MA in Christian Counseling is accredited through ATS (theological accreditation), not CACREP. Students targeting LPC licensure in states that require CACREP accreditation should verify current CACREP status at cacrep.org before enrolling in any ORU counseling program.
Discount programs Return student discounts (50% off for 15 or fewer remaining hours; 25% off for 16-30 hours); first-generation scholarship (15% off tuition); military discount; interest-free payment plans
Faith character Explicitly Charismatic/Pentecostal evangelical; Holy Spirit-focused mission; whole-person education model (mind, body, spirit); Honor Code required; faith integrated throughout all curricula
U.S. News ranking #189 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (2026)
Financial aid Federal aid eligible (FAFSA); institutional scholarships; military/VA benefits; GI Bill accepted

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What Is ORU Online?

ORU Online is the distance education platform of Oral Roberts University, offering asynchronous programs that can be completed entirely online. Like the Tulsa campus, ORU Online operates within ORU’s core mission of “whole person” education, defined by the institution as spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, and professional formation. That mission framing is not incidental language. It shapes how courses are designed, what faculty teach alongside subject matter, and what the institution expects of its students.

The Charismatic identity of ORU is more specifically Pentecostal than generic evangelical. Oral Roberts was one of the most prominent figures in the 20th-century Charismatic renewal movement, and the university he founded reflects that heritage in its campus culture, its theology programs, and its overall institutional ethos. This means ORU’s faith integration includes practices and theological emphases, particularly around the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, healing, and prophetic experience, that are specific to Charismatic/Pentecostal Christianity rather than broadly evangelical. Students from Baptist, Reformed, mainline Protestant, Catholic, or non-Christian backgrounds will encounter a more specifically Pentecostal institutional culture at ORU than at a broadly evangelical institution like Liberty University or a more broadly interdenominational one like Gordon College.

The online platform serves students in all 50 states and more than 115 countries. ORU also operates a small network of partner site locations, similar in structure to SEU’s network reviewed earlier in this series, at churches in Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, and Indiana. NC-SARA authorization covers online delivery for distance students in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For students whose career target aligns with ORU’s programmatic strengths, particularly nursing (CCNE), theology and ministry (ATS), social work (CSWE), and business (ACBSP), the combination of legitimate accreditation and Charismatic faith community makes ORU a credible option within its market. For students who are not specifically seeking Charismatic faith formation, ORU is not designed for them regardless of cost or program availability.

Accreditation: HLC and Twelve Programmatic Credentials

ORU’s HLC accreditation has been continuous since 1971. The programmatic accreditation portfolio is broader than many institutions of comparable enrollment, covering nursing, social work, business, theology, education, engineering, music, and music therapy. The full confirmed list from ORU’s accreditation page:

Accreditor Programs Covered Scope and Key Notes Verification
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) All programs at Oral Roberts University Institutional accreditation; in good standing since 1971; NC-SARA member; same accreditor as Franklin University, Ohio University, Northwestern University
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Nursing programs: BSN (pre-licensure), MSN, DNP, and nursing certificates CCNE is required for NCLEX eligibility and APRN certification exam eligibility in most states; online MSN at $550/credit and DNP at $640/credit are confirmed program-specific rates
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Social work programs (BSW and/or MSW) CSWE is required for LCSW licensure eligibility in most states; verify specific program levels and current accreditation status at cswe.org before enrolling for licensure purposes
Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Graduate School of Theology and Ministry: Master of Divinity, MA Biblical Literature, MA Theological/Historical Studies, MA Christian Counseling, MA Missions, MA Practical Theology, Doctor of Ministry ATS is the field-specific accreditor for graduate theological education in the U.S. and Canada; the MA in Christian Counseling carries ATS theological accreditation, not CACREP; students targeting LPC licensure must verify CACREP status separately
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Fenimore and Fisher Graduate School of Business programs ACBSP is CHEA-recognized; appropriate for most management and business career targets; note that the MBA in Leadership (MBA-L) was listed as having accreditation mechanisms ‘in process’ on ORU’s program page — verify current ACBSP scope at acbsp.org
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Teacher preparation programs CAEP is the nationally recognized accreditor for educator preparation programs; ORU teacher preparation graduates are eligible for Oklahoma teacher credentials; out-of-state licensure applicability should be verified with the specific state board
ABET Engineering programs ABET EAC accreditation for engineering; required for PE licensure pathway; primarily campus-based undergraduate programs; confirm whether specific programs are within ABET scope abet.org
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Music programs NASM programmatic accreditation for music education and performance programs nasm.arts-accredit.org
American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Music Therapy programs AMTA accreditation for music therapy education; graduates eligible for Board Certification (MT-BC) examination musictherapy.org
COUNSELING DISCLOSURE MA in Christian Counseling NOT CACREP-accredited. The MA in Christian Counseling is accredited through ATS as a theological degree. Students in states requiring CACREP for LPC licensure should verify both the current CACREP accreditation status of this program at cacrep.org AND their state’s specific requirements before applying. cacrep.org — verify current status

For a complete guide to counseling licensure requirements and CACREP accreditation, see: Can You Become a Therapist With an Online Psychology Degree?

For a complete guide to verifying programmatic accreditation before enrolling, see: What to Look for in an Accredited Online University

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Understanding ORU’s Faith Identity

ORU describes its educational mission through the phrase “whole person” education, meaning it aims to develop students spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and professionally simultaneously. This is not a metaphor for general character development. It is a specific institutional commitment rooted in the Charismatic tradition that Oral Roberts represented, and it shapes the entire educational experience at ORU, including online programs.

In practical terms, this means courses in every discipline integrate a Christian and specifically Charismatic worldview into the subject matter. A business ethics course at ORU will engage biblical principles of stewardship, servant leadership, and calling alongside standard ethical frameworks. A nursing program will engage questions of healing, prayer, and holistic patient care from a theological as well as clinical perspective. A psychology course will consider human behavior within a framework that includes spiritual dimensions of personhood. Students are expected to participate in this integration, not simply tolerate it.

The Charismatic specificity matters. ORU’s tradition includes Spirit baptism with speaking in tongues, healing prayer, prophetic ministry, and other practices associated with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity. Campus worship at ORU reflects these practices, and the theology programs are built explicitly around this heritage. Students from other evangelical traditions, from mainline Protestantism, from Catholicism, or from non-Christian backgrounds will find ORU’s institutional culture more specifically Charismatic than they may anticipate from a general description of “Christian university.”

The Honor Code is required of all ORU students, including online students. It covers standards of conduct consistent with the institution’s Christian community commitments. Students considering ORU Online should review the current Honor Code before applying to confirm they can commit to its expectations.

Online Programs by Area

Nursing (CCNE): MSN, DNP, and Pre-licensure BSN

ORU’s nursing programs carry CCNE accreditation across the program ladder. The online MSN is priced at $550 per credit and the online DNP at $640 per credit — both confirmed from ORU’s online financial aid page. These are competitive per-credit rates within the CCNE-accredited online nursing market, sitting below GW’s nursing rates, below most academic medical center-affiliated programs, and in range with faith-based competitors like Liberty University and Regent University.

The online MSN and DNP programs are designed for working nurses seeking advanced practice credentials. The pre-licensure BSN is primarily campus-based given its clinical training requirements, but the RN-to-BSN pathway is available online. CCNE accreditation covers all degree levels and is the credential required for NCLEX exam eligibility and APRN certification exam eligibility in most states. Verify current program-specific CCNE scope at ccneaccreditation.org before enrolling.

For a complete guide to online nursing programs and CCNE accreditation pathways, see: Accredited Online Nursing Programs for Working Adults

Healthcare Administration (Online MHA at $550/Credit)

The online Master of Healthcare Administration is priced at $550 per credit, making it one of the more cost-competitive online MHA programs with HLC institutional accreditation. The program is designed for professionals seeking to lead in healthcare organizations. Note that ORU’s MHA carries HLC institutional accreditation and ACBSP business accreditation from the Fenimore and Fisher Graduate School of Business. It does not appear to carry CAHME accreditation, which is the field-specific standard evaluated in hiring at major hospital systems. Students targeting senior healthcare administration roles at large hospital networks that specifically screen for CAHME should verify whether the ORU MHA satisfies their employer’s standards.

Theology and Ministry (ATS-Accredited Graduate Programs)

ORU’s Graduate School of Theology and Ministry holds ATS accreditation, the gold standard for graduate theological education in the U.S. and Canada. The online Master of Divinity, at $715 per credit, is the primary credential for ordained ministry and pastoral leadership. The ATS-accredited master’s and doctoral theology programs include MDiv, MA Biblical Literature, MA Theological/Historical Studies, MA Missions, MA Practical Theology, and Doctor of Ministry.

For students pursuing full-time Charismatic/Pentecostal ministry, the ORU theology programs carry the same ATS accreditation as programs at other ATS-member institutions, meaning the credential is recognized across the theological education community regardless of the Charismatic identity of the institution. For students seeking interdenominational seminary education, ORU’s ATS accreditation confirms its programs meet standard graduate theological education requirements, though the Charismatic ethos of the curriculum will be present throughout.

The MA in Christian Counseling is accredited through ATS as a theological degree. This is the most important disclosure in the theology section: the MA in Christian Counseling is not CACREP-accredited, and students who complete it and seek LPC licensure in states requiring CACREP will face licensure eligibility questions. This program is appropriate for pastoral counseling, faith-based counseling ministry, and chaplaincy roles that do not require state LPC licensure. It is not a reliable path to LPC in CACREP-required states. Verify at cacrep.org.

Business (ACBSP: Fenimore and Fisher Graduate School of Business)

The Fenimore and Fisher Graduate School of Business holds ACBSP accreditation. Online MBA options include concentrations in business administration, leadership, and other management tracks. The MBA in Leadership (MBA-L) was noted on ORU’s program page as having accreditation mechanisms “in process” for ACBSP; students should confirm current ACBSP coverage of their specific program at acbsp.org before enrolling.

ORU’s business programs integrate a Christian worldview of leadership, ethics, stewardship, and organizational life throughout the curriculum. This is a deliberate curriculum feature, not a superficial add-on. For students who want a faith-integrated business credential with ACBSP accreditation at competitive graduate rates, ORU is a defensible option within the Charismatic/evangelical business education market.

For how ACBSP accreditation compares to AACSB and IACBE in employer recognition, see: How Employers View Online Business Degrees

Social Work (CSWE)

ORU holds CSWE accreditation for its social work programs. CSWE accreditation is required for LCSW licensure eligibility in most states. Students targeting LCSW licensure should verify the specific degree levels covered by CSWE accreditation at cswe.org and confirm that the online delivery format falls within the accredited scope. Faith integration in ORU’s social work programs means coursework will engage a Christian perspective on human dignity, social justice, and community care alongside standard social work competencies.

Education (CAEP-Accredited)

ORU’s educator preparation programs are CAEP-accredited, which is the nationally recognized standard for teacher education. Online programs in education are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Out-of-state students pursuing teacher licensure should verify that their specific state’s licensing board recognizes ORU’s CAEP-approved programs as qualifying for certification. CAEP accreditation satisfies many but not all state-specific teacher licensing requirements.

Psychology, IT, and Behavioral Sciences

ORU offers online programs in psychology, information technology, and behavioral sciences at the bachelor’s level. These programs carry HLC institutional accreditation. Psychology programs at ORU are undergraduate-level credentials designed for careers in human services, graduate study prerequisites, and ministry-adjacent counseling roles. They do not carry APA or CACREP programmatic accreditation. IT programs prepare students for technology careers in general commercial, nonprofit, and ministry-focused environments.

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Cost in Context

Program Per-Credit Rate Typical Credits Estimated Total Tuition Notes
Online MSN (CCNE) $550/credit 36-45 credits typical ~$19,800-$24,750 CCNE-accredited; competitive in faith-based nursing market; confirm credit requirement
Online MHA $550/credit 36-48 credits typical ~$19,800-$26,400 HLC + ACBSP; no confirmed CAHME; verify employer expectations for large hospital systems
Online DNP (CCNE) $640/credit 30-36 credits post-MSN typical ~$19,200-$23,040 post-MSN CCNE-accredited; terminal nursing practice credential; verify credit requirement for your track
Online Doctor of Strategic Leadership $640/credit 48-60 credits typical doctoral ~$30,720-$38,400 HLC institutional accreditation; faith-integrated organizational leadership credential; verify ACBSP scope
Online Master of Divinity (ATS) $715/credit 72-90 credits typical MDiv ~$51,480-$64,350 ATS-accredited; standard seminary credential for ordained ministry; Charismatic formation context
Online MBA / business graduate (ACBSP) ~$740-756/credit (general graduate rate) or program-specific; confirm at oru.edu 36-48 credits typical MBA ~$26,640-$36,288 ACBSP; confirm current rate and scope for your specific program; MBA-L in process
Online UG programs Confirm current online-specific UG rate at oru.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/online/ 120 credits full degree Confirm with ORU; on-campus rate is $1,400/credit; online rate may differ HLC institutional accreditation; various programmatic accreditations by field; military discount available

For comparison within the faith-based online market: SEU (reviewed earlier in this series) charges $399/credit for online UG and $427/credit for graduate programs under SACSCOC accreditation. Liberty University charges approximately $390/credit for most programs under SACSCOC accreditation. Regent University charges approximately $395-$450/credit with SACSCOC accreditation and CACREP counseling programs. ORU’s graduate rates of $550-$715/credit are higher than those competitors, though the CCNE nursing and ATS theology credentials carry specific field-level recognition value that some of those alternatives do not offer in the same breadth.

For a borrowing framework and total program cost methodology, see: How Much Should You Borrow for an Online Degree?

Career Outcomes by Program Area

Program Target Role BLS Median Wage (2023-24) 10-Yr Growth Key Notes
Online MSN NP tracks (CCNE) Nurse Practitioner / APRN $126,260 +46% CCNE; $550/credit; competitive rate for CCNE-accredited NP credential; local clinical practicums required
Online DNP (CCNE) Senior APRN / DNP-prepared nurse leader $126,260 / $103,460 +46% / +28% CCNE terminal nursing credential; $640/credit
Online MHA Healthcare Department Manager / Practice Administrator $134,320 +28% ACBSP + HLC; verify CAHME status with target employers; $550/credit
Online Doctor of Strategic Leadership Executive Leader / Organizational Consultant / Ministry CEO $116,060 +5% HLC; faith-integrated leadership credential; $640/credit; ministry and nonprofit leadership primary market
Online MDiv / MA Theology (ATS) Pastor / Missionary / Chaplain / Ministry Director $60,090 median clergy +5% ATS-accredited; gold standard for seminary credentials; Charismatic formation context; $715/credit for MDiv
MA Christian Counseling (ATS — NOT CACREP) Pastoral Counselor / Faith-based Counselor / Chaplain $53,710 +19% ATS theological accreditation only; NOT CACREP; appropriate for pastoral counseling, ministry counseling, chaplaincy; NOT a reliable path to LPC in CACREP-required states
Online MBA / Business (ACBSP) Operations Manager / HR Manager / Business Analyst $101,280 / $136,350 +5-11% ACBSP; confirm scope of your specific program; faith-integrated curriculum; strong fit for faith-based organizations and nonprofits
Social Work (CSWE) Licensed Social Worker / LCSW pathway $60,280 +9% CSWE; required for LCSW licensure in most states; verify degree level and online scope at cswe.org
Education (CAEP) K-12 Teacher / Education Administrator $62,360 / $99,890 +4% / +11% CAEP; Oklahoma credential pathway; verify out-of-state licensure applicability
Psychology / Behavioral Sciences (HLC) Human Services / Ministry Counseling / Graduate study pathway $53,710 / $68,460 +19% / +13% HLC institutional accreditation; no APA; undergraduate credential for human services and ministry careers

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2023-24 Edition.

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Who ORU Online Is Best Suited For

Students Most Likely to Benefit from ORU Online

  • Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians seeking an HLC-accredited online degree from an institution that reflects their specific faith tradition, including an emphasis on the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and Charismatic worship culture. ORU is built specifically for this community and offers a depth of Charismatic identity that generically evangelical institutions do not provide.
  • Working nurses who want a CCNE-accredited online MSN or DNP with a faith-integrated curriculum from a Charismatic institution. At $550/credit for MSN and $640/credit for DNP, ORU’s rates are competitive within the CCNE-accredited faith-based nursing market and lower than many non-faith-based peer institutions.
  • Ministry leaders and aspiring pastors seeking ATS-accredited graduate theological education in a Charismatic/Pentecostal context. ORU’s MDiv and Doctor of Ministry carry the same ATS standard as programs at other ATS-member seminaries, with the specific formation advantage of an institution built in the Charismatic tradition. The $715/credit MDiv is priced in the mid-range for ATS-accredited online programs.
  • Healthcare administrators and organizational leaders who want a faith-integrated graduate credential in their field at a competitive per-credit rate under HLC and ACBSP accreditation, particularly those serving in faith-based healthcare systems, churches, or ministry organizations where the ORU name carries specific community recognition.
  • Students who connect with ORU’s partner site network in Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, or Indiana and who can attend classes in person within a local church community while earning the ORU credential, following the same model as SEU’s Network reviewed earlier in this series.

Students Who Should Investigate Alternatives or Verify First

  • Students considering the MA in Christian Counseling with the goal of LPC licensure in a state that requires CACREP accreditation. This program carries ATS accreditation as a theological degree, not CACREP. Students who need CACREP for licensure should verify the program’s current CACREP status at cacrep.org before applying. Regent University offers CACREP-accredited online counseling within a Christian faith context as an alternative.
  • Students primarily cost-optimizing who are not specifically seeking a Charismatic faith context. At $550-$715/credit for graduate programs, ORU is priced above SEU ($427/credit), Liberty University (~$390/credit), and APUS ($270-$325/credit for most programs). The cost is defensible for students who specifically value ORU’s Charismatic identity and CCNE or ATS credentials, but not for cost-sensitive students for whom faith integration is not a priority.
  • Students from Catholic, mainline Protestant, non-Christian, or non-religious backgrounds who want a secular or neutrally framed academic environment. ORU’s Charismatic identity is not compartmentalized. It is the curriculum framework across all programs.
  • Students targeting MHA roles at major hospital systems that specifically screen for CAHME accreditation. ORU’s MHA carries ACBSP and HLC accreditation; confirm CAHME status with your specific target employer before enrolling.
  • Students who need the MBA in Leadership (MBA-L) and rely on full ACBSP accreditation for their program. ORU’s program page indicated accreditation mechanisms for this program were ‘in process.’ Verify current status at acbsp.org before enrolling.

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Final Assessment

Oral Roberts University Online is a legitimate, HLC-accredited Charismatic/Pentecostal university with a broader programmatic accreditation portfolio than most institutions of its enrollment size. CCNE nursing, CSWE social work, ATS theology, CAEP teacher education, ABET engineering, ACBSP business, NASM music, and AMTA music therapy collectively represent a genuine investment in field-specific credential quality that goes beyond basic institutional accreditation. For students who specifically want that combination of Charismatic faith formation and credentialed academic programs, ORU delivers something most online platforms cannot replicate.

The cost sits in the mid-range of the faith-based online market. The CCNE nursing rates of $550-$640/credit are competitive. The ATS theology rates of $715/credit for MDiv are within the range of peer ATS-accredited seminaries. The MA in Christian Counseling carries the most significant consumer protection disclosure in this review: ATS accreditation, not CACREP, with implications for LPC licensure in states that require the latter. Students considering that program should resolve the CACREP question before applying.

For the student ORU is designed for, the combination of Charismatic community, comprehensive accreditation breadth, competitive nursing and theology pricing, and an international student community from 115-plus countries makes ORU a distinctive and credible choice in the Christian higher education market.

Ready to find programs matched to your goals, accreditation needs, and budget? See: See Your Best-Fit Online Programs in 60 Seconds

For the complete adult learner guide, see: The Complete Guide to Earning an Accredited Online Degree as an Adult Learner