OBU Enrollment Tops 1,750

With a 23.5 percent increase in the number of new freshmen, OBU's overall enrollment is 1,753 for the fall 2008 semester. That is an increase of 9.1 percent over the 2007 fall semester.

"We are delighted with this significant enrollment increase. As more students benefit from our academic programs, the effectiveness of our overall mission increases," said John W. Parrish, OBU interim president.

First-time freshmen totaled 389, an increase of 74 over the 2007 total. The average ACT score for first-time freshmen was 23.6, a slight increase over the 23.3 average for last year's class.

The enrollment included 1,467 full-time students and 286 part-time students. Full-time students are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the semester. The total number of full-time students was up from 1,348 in the fall of 2007.

The overall headcount total includes 1,055 students from Oklahoma, up from 963 in 2007. Oklahomans account for 60.2 percent of the enrollment, up from 59.9 percent last year. In-state students come from 67 of Oklahoma's 77 counties.

OBU students represent 39 states and 21 other countries. There are 252 students from Texas, comprising 14.4 percent of the overall total. A total of 601 students are from other states, and 97 - 5.5 percent - are from other countries. Thirty students are from China, with 29 from Brazil.

The enrollment also included a total of 135 students who transferred to OBU from other colleges. An additional 35 students are studying in the University's Intensive English Program, and 173 are enrolled in Ministry Training Institute courses offered at off-campus locations.

The overall total also includes 46 students enrolled in OBU's International Graduate School.

"To see an enrollment increase of 146 students in a year where energy costs skyrocketed is very significant," said Trent Argo, OBU's dean of enrollment management. "As more families examined our programs and visited our campus, they saw the opportunity for their students to gain a unique educational experience on Bison Hill."

During the 2007-08 academic year, OBU implemented a new financial aid structure, expanded campus visit opportunities for prospective students and their families.

"Our admissions and student financial services staff members did an outstanding job of communicating with prospective students throughout the year," said Parrish. "As students and their families consider our academic programs and campus life opportunities, we see a very favorable response."