Palm Beach Atlantic University vs Oral Roberts University (ORU)

Palm Beach Atlantic University and Oral Roberts University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Palm Beach Atlantic, located in West Palm Beach, Florida, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 64% compared to Oral Roberts' 86% in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, Palm Beach Atlantic excels in business, nursing, and education, while Oral Roberts is renowned for its strong programs in music, engineering, and aviation. With a larger student body, Oral Roberts fosters a more diverse community, while Palm Beach Atlantic maintains a smaller, close-knit campus. Additionally, Oral Roberts boasts a higher graduation rate of 62% compared to Palm Beach Atlantic's 58%. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the distinctions between these two esteemed universities and discover which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Oral Roberts University	Palm Beach Atlantic University
Overview
Location	Tulsa, Oklahoma	West Palm Beach, Florida
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	85.0%	71.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Protestant	Interdenominational

Admission
Acceptance rate	85.0%	89.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $35 Graduate: $35	$50
SAT range	900 - 1210	1030 - 1240
ACT range	19 - 27	20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	19.0%	77.0%
Students submitting ACT score	39.0%	31.0%
Total number of applicants	3,350	1,923
Total number of admissions given out	2,847	1,728
Admitted students who chose to enroll	647	505
Yield rate	22.7%	29.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$50,384	$53,668
Average net price	$21,176	$27,881
Tuition	$30,300	$33,538
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,150 Meal plan: $4,700	Room/dormitory: $5,872 Meal plan: $5,256
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $23,936	99.0% Average amount $23,465
Students receiving federal student loan	69.0% Average amount $6,004	51.0% Average amount $5,286
Students taking out private loans	25.0% Average amount $6,428	6.0% Average amount $14,922

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,009 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	2,837 Men 37.0% Women 63.0%
Graduate students	702 Men 44.9% Women 55.1%	850 Men 34.9% Women 65.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	54.9%	52.3%
International students	15.4%	4.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,607	1,228
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Oklahoma Texas Colorado Louisiana California	Florida New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Michigan

Academics
Popular study areas	Theology Business Psychology Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Health Professions	Health Professions Business Visual & Performing Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Communication and Journalism
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	58.9%	60.8%
Dropout rate	39.4%	36.5%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,794 Year 2: $53,608 Year 3: $62,095 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,751 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $59,271 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,277 Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $58,411 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $29,105 Year 2: $35,416 Year 3: $42,444 Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,281 Year 3: $40,204 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,522 Year 2: $33,755 Year 3: $36,103 Theological and Ministerial Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,042 Year 2: $25,774 Year 3: $30,973 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,293 Year 2: $31,848 Year 3: $23,959 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: N/A Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,902 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: N/A	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $95,539 Year 2: $113,354 Year 3: $121,395 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,430 Year 2: $60,689 Year 3: $57,694 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,359 Year 2: $54,996 Year 3: $55,997 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $45,575 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $44,914 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $39,523 Year 3: $40,886 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,875 Year 2: $36,668 Year 3: $40,718 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,924 Year 2: $40,392 Year 3: $40,381 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $33,527 Year 2: $36,151 Year 3: $36,801 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,547 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $36,792

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) and Oral Roberts University (ORU)?

PBA is located in the heart of West Palm Beach, Florida, offering a vibrant urban environment with easy access to beaches, cultural attractions, and internships. ORU, on the other hand, is situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, providing a more traditional, self-contained campus experience with a focus on community and spiritual development within its 263-acre grounds.
How do PBA and ORU differ in their denominational affiliation and religious emphasis?

PBA is interdenominational, welcoming students from all Christian backgrounds, while maintaining a strong commitment to its Christian identity. ORU is charismatic Christian, emphasizing the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts as central to its faith and academic environment. This difference is reflected in chapel services, campus culture, and course offerings.
What are the key academic strengths of Palm Beach Atlantic University and Oral Roberts University?

PBA is known for its strong programs in pharmacy, nursing, business, and communication, leveraging its location for practical learning experiences. ORU excels in ministry, theology, business, and engineering, with a focus on integrating faith and learning across all disciplines.
How do the student populations at PBA and ORU compare?

PBA has a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community with more personalized attention. ORU has a larger and more diverse student population, including a significant international presence, offering a broader range of perspectives and experiences.
What is the cost of attendance like at Palm Beach Atlantic University versus Oral Roberts University?

Generally, PBA tends to have a higher tuition cost compared to ORU. However, both universities offer various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. It's best to check each university's financial aid website for the most up-to-date information and to determine your individual net cost after aid.
How do PBA and ORU approach student life and extracurricular activities?

PBA offers a range of student activities, including clubs, organizations, and intramural sports, with a focus on community engagement and service. ORU emphasizes spiritual formation through chapel services, ministry opportunities, and outreach programs, alongside a variety of student clubs, sports, and performing arts groups.
What are the main differences in campus culture and social atmosphere between PBA and ORU?

PBA's campus culture is influenced by its urban setting, offering a blend of academic rigor and social opportunities in a vibrant city. ORU's campus culture is more intentionally focused on spiritual development and community building, with a strong emphasis on faith-based activities and relationships.
How do the career services and internship opportunities differ between PBA and ORU?

PBA benefits from its location in West Palm Beach, providing students with access to internships and job opportunities in various industries, particularly in business, healthcare, and communications. ORU leverages its alumni network and partnerships to offer internships and career opportunities, especially in ministry, non-profit organizations, and global missions.
What are the graduation rates and post-graduation outcomes like for PBA and ORU?

Both PBA and ORU have competitive graduation rates, reflecting their commitment to student success. Graduates from both institutions pursue diverse career paths and graduate studies, with PBA graduates often finding opportunities in Florida and beyond, while ORU graduates are well-represented in ministry, business, and global service.
What kind of student would thrive at Palm Beach Atlantic University versus Oral Roberts University?

A student who enjoys an urban environment, values a broad Christian perspective, and seeks strong programs in fields like pharmacy or business might thrive at PBA. A student who desires a deeply spiritual and charismatic environment, is passionate about ministry or global missions, and seeks a close-knit community would likely find ORU a good fit.

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