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Ottawa University-Ottawa

#195 in US ranking Ottawa, KS
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Ottawa University-Ottawa award
Ottawa University-Ottawa award

Cost

Cost / year
$55,441
Tuition & fees
$33,000
Avg. aid
$25,851
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
83%
SAT range
750–1000
ACT range
16–22

Outcomes

Graduation rate
28%
Median salary
$54,372
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Ottawa University-Ottawa?

Ottawa University-Ottawa is the original Kansas campus of Ottawa University, a private university founded in 1865 through cooperation between Baptist supporters and the Ottawa Tribe. That history helps explain both the university's name and its continuing emphasis on service and religious heritage.

The institution began as a school intended to provide education for members of the Ottawa Tribe and others in the region. It subsequently developed into a university offering a broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Ottawa University now also teaches students through other locations and online programs, including its Arizona campus. Applicants comparing programs should check which campus or delivery format their intended degree uses; an Ottawa University program is not necessarily taught at the Ottawa, Kansas, campus.

What are the faculties and departments at Ottawa University-Ottawa?

Ottawa University-Ottawa offers a liberal arts education alongside career-oriented programs. Its academic offerings span fields such as business, education, the humanities, natural and social sciences, and performing arts.

Examples relevant to Ottawa-campus applicants include business administration, accounting, biology, psychology, criminal justice, education, music, and sports-related studies. Ottawa University also advertises programs in areas such as nursing and information technology across its broader institution. Because availability can differ by location, degree level, and online format, applicants should check the current academic catalog and the program's listed campus before assuming a particular major can be completed in Ottawa.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. That institution-level measure describes enrollment relative to faculty; it is not a promise that every class has 12 students or that every course is taught by a full-time professor.

What is the location of Ottawa University-Ottawa?

Ottawa University-Ottawa is in Ottawa, Kansas, a smaller community southwest of the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is the university's original campus, not its Ottawa University Arizona location in Surprise, Arizona.

The setting offers a residential campus experience in a small city rather than the daily environment of a large urban university. Students seeking internships, shopping, or entertainment beyond Ottawa should account for travel time and transportation. Kansas City International Airport is the principal regional airport for longer-distance travel. First-year students are permitted to bring a car to campus, although parking rules and any associated charges should be checked before arrival.

What is the mission and vision of Ottawa University-Ottawa?

Ottawa University describes its educational purpose in terms of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity. Its mission reflects the university's Baptist heritage and an emphasis on connecting education with work, character, and service.

Those are the institution's stated aims, not measurable outcomes for every student. Prospective students can assess how the philosophy appears in the curriculum, campus activities, and any requirements attached to a particular program. The university's religious identity is relevant to campus life, but students should consult current policies rather than assume that a stated affiliation dictates every aspect of classroom instruction or participation.

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Ottawa University-Ottawa Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Ottawa University-Ottawa

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

Town: Distant

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

Under 1,000

Religious affiliation

Protestant (American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.)

School type

Comprehensive higher education institution

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1865

Ottawa University-Ottawa Accreditation

Ottawa University-Ottawa 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.

Ottawa University-Ottawa Programs and Degrees

iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - research/scholarship

Data last updated on November 2, 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.

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