Six Reasons to Put OBU At the Top of Your List

September 8, 2020

Choosing a college or university to attend after high school is a big decision. The four years spent on a university campus are critical to the outcomes and trajectory for the rest of one’s life. There are so many considerations when making this decision, including cost, culture and quality instruction. When it comes to meeting these critical criteria and more, OBU rises above the competition.

Take a look at six reasons you should put OBU on the top of your college or university search list.

1. OBU provides a college experience with both a small-town feel and the benefits of a larger community.

Located in Shawnee, Oklahoma, OBU is close to big-city amenities, as its campus is just 35 miles from Oklahoma City. Shawnee enjoys three movie theatres, two bowling centers, multiple coffee shops, outstanding local and national chain restaurants, numerous national retail establishments, a mall and more. Nearby Oklahoma City boasts the Bricktown entertainment district, featuring great food, minor league baseball, the Bricktown Canal, a 16-screen movie theatre and more. OKC’s Scissortail Park is a new attraction and ranked as one of the best urban parks in the nation. The Chesapeake Energy Arena is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball team and likewise hosts major concerts and world-class entertainment.

2. The Christian worldview permeates all academic disciplines on Bison Hill.

Whether studying physics, literature, music or business, the curriculum at OBU integrates faith into all areas of knowledge. The University’s faculty and administration are committed to providing students with a deep, meaningful education in tandem with powerful spiritual formation, making OBU a deeply transformative experience. Students are encouraged to dive deeper in their walk with the Lord as they engage in student groups and in-class discussions, as well as weekly chapel services and discipleship opportunities. Global Outreach trips provide a way for students to walk out their faith, traveling to the far reaches of the globe to meet the needs of others.

3. At OBU, your professors will invest in your life and give you the personal attention you need to maximize your potential.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, students know their professors on a personal level and enjoy plenty of opportunities to get involved without getting lost in the crowd. The connections forged as undergraduate students become mentor relationships that can last a lifetime, as well as connections to employment upon graduation. OBU professors truly care about their students and work tirelessly to give them the best opportunities both during and after their time on Bison Hill.

4. OBU’s campus offers state-of-the-art facilities blended with the classic look of the University’s architecture.

Stavros Hall, home to the College of Nursing, opened in 2016. The 32,000 square-foot facility includes six high-fidelity skills simulation labs, among many other top-of-the-line features. In recent years, the University has completed construction on numerous buildings in the student residential village while completing renovations in others. Ford Hall, also recently renovated, offers amenities for students of all majors to practice their musical talents, as well as specific, dedicated space for students within the College of Fine Arts to hone their craft. The Geiger Center, the university’s student gathering place, includes the student cafeteria, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, bookstore, Student Life and Spiritual Life offices, and more, with the majority of the facility having been renovated completely over the last few years.

5. The value and affordability of an OBU education makes it a possibility for all students.

OBU offers more than $29 million in scholarships on average each year, bringing the University’s net price (the price a student actually pays after scholarships and grants) in line with most public universities. In fact, OBU ranks between the two largest state universities in Oklahoma when it comes to the actual price students pay to attend. When comparing the quality of education and personal attention from faculty found at OBU against schools where underclassmen may sit with hundreds of students in classes taught by graduate students, the value of an OBU education becomes even more apparent.

6. OBU is recognized every year as one of the best universities in the nation.

The liberal arts curriculum found at OBU challenges students to develop disciplined thinking, refined judgment, creativity, writing skills and problem-solving skills. This approach translates into outstanding academic performance. OBU has been rated as one of the top 10 regional colleges in the West by U.S. News and World Report for 28 consecutive years and Oklahoma’s highest rated regional college in the U.S. News rankings for 25 of those years. The University has been listed on Great Value College’s rankings of, “50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest.” Forbes.com consistently ranks OBU as a top university in Oklahoma and the Princeton Review has named OBU one of the best colleges and universities in the western United States for 16 consecutive years.

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If you’re looking for your home away from home for the next four years, and you want to experience a faith forward education that will fast forward your career, then OBU just may be the place for you. Visit the campus to see just what Bison Hill is all about and experience the OBU difference first-hand.

Put OBU at the top of your list. Find out more or schedule a campus visit.