Freshman Class Enrollment Jumps

September 10, 2010

OBU saw overall enrollment increase for the 2010 fall semester, bolstered by a total of 414 first-time freshmen.

OBU's headcount enrollment of 1,777 students for the fall semester is a slight gain over the fall 2009 total of 1,764 students. The number of freshmen increased by 12.5 percent from a total of 368 last year. The total of first-time freshmen had not topped 400 since 2001.

"We are pleased to have another increase in enrollment this year," said OBU President David Whitlock. "Growth in first-time freshmen is a great indicator that more students realize the value of studying at OBU. Our students are challenged to grow academically and spiritually, and our history demonstrates that the majority of them graduate within four years and move on to careers of leadership and service."

The average ACT score for first-time freshmen was 24.2, an increase over the average score of 23.5 in 2009.

"A significant increase in the number of first-time freshmen reflects well on the efforts of our enrollment management team," said Dr. Stan Norman, OBU provost and executive vice president for campus life. "We are confident that as more students learn about the kind of education they can gain at OBU, they are committing to invest their college years on our campus."

The total enrollment includes 106 transfer students. The enrollment included 1,473 full-time undergraduate students. Full-time students are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the semester.

The totals included 60 students enrolled in OBU's Graduate School, which operates in downtown Oklahoma City offering master's degrees in business administration and nursing.

It also includes 96 off-campus students who study through OBU's Ministry Training Institute. Thirty-nine students are studying through OBU's Intensive English Program.