
Oakland City University is a private university in Oakland City, Indiana, with roots in the General Baptist tradition. It began as Oakland City College in 1885, an origin that helps explain the continuing place of religious studies and faith-related activities alongside its other academic programs.
The institution later adopted the Oakland City University name as its academic offerings expanded. Today it enrolls undergraduate and graduate students, including students pursuing professional preparation in fields such as education and business. Applicants reviewing older records should recognize Oakland City College and Oakland City University as names associated with the same institution, rather than assume they refer to separate schools.
Oakland City University offers programs in the liberal arts, education, business, and religious studies, along with selected career-oriented fields. Its offerings span undergraduate and graduate study; the appropriate degree level and delivery format depend on the program.
Examples of fields represented in its academic offerings include business administration, biology, computer science, criminal justice, psychology, teacher education, and religious studies. Prospective students should use the current academic catalog to check a particular major's degree requirements, course rotation, and campus or online availability. That distinction matters especially for education students, whose coursework and field placements must align with applicable teacher-licensing requirements.
The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. That institution-wide measure describes enrollment relative to faculty; it does not establish the size of every class or the availability of a particular course.
Oakland City University's main campus is in Oakland City, a small community in southwestern Indiana. Students considering the campus should expect a small-town setting rather than the transportation and amenities of a large urban university.
Regional travel and off-campus errands may require a car or a planned ride. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, and Evansville Regional Airport is a regional air-travel option. Applicants interested in a particular graduate, adult-learning, or online program should confirm where its required classes and in-person activities take place rather than assume every offering meets on the main campus.
Oakland City University describes its educational purpose in terms of academic development, service, and its Christian heritage. Its General Baptist roots are part of the institution's identity, although students can study subjects beyond ministry and religious studies.
For applicants, the useful question is how that stated mission appears in a specific program and in everyday campus expectations. The university's current mission statement, catalog, and student handbook are the appropriate places to check requirements involving religious activities, conduct, or coursework. An institutional statement of values describes goals and priorities; it is not, by itself, evidence of a particular student outcome.
Name of the institution
Oakland City UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Rural: DistantInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Protestant (Baptist General Conference)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1885Oakland City University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.