Is Ohio Christian University a Christian college?

Yes. Ohio Christian University is a Christian college.

Christian college

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, OH · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Other Protestant

Real cost

Average price after aid $20,607 a year

Median debt at graduation: $29,579 (all students)

Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator

Ohio Christian University is a Wesleyan-tradition Christian university in Circleville, Ohio. Its general education core requires three Bible and theology courses of day-program bachelor's students, and the college describes its curriculum as integrating faith and learning. Weekly chapel and a required Christian Service seminar are part of the campus program, and students must record 27 spiritual formation attendances each semester.

Faith life at a glance

In the college’s own words

“It is the time for the entire college community to meet together in a structured time of worship.”
Source: ohiochristian.edu
“Our emphasis on ministry and missions extends beyond the classroom into real-world experiences that prepare students for a lifetime of service in ministry.”
Source: ohiochristian.edu

Questions students ask

Do I have to go to chapel?

Students must have 27 chapel attendances recorded each semester to meet the requirement.

Source: info.ohiochristian.edu

What's a normal week?

Weekly chapel services meet in Detty Chapel, and the Chapel Teams and Worship Collective lead worship.

Source: ohiochristian.edu

Can I serve or go on mission trips?

Students get real-world ministry experience, and a group of students recently went on a mission trip to Japan.

Source: ohiochristian.edu

Academic Excellence

C+

43 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score34%
First-year retention 20% of score62%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreNot reported
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score14 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$4,905

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

Partly researched

We have checked some of this college’s faith and campus life facts against its own official pages. There is not yet enough verified to grade them, so the findings below are what we could confirm. Anything not listed has not been confirmed yet.

Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizations: A few (A student Chapel Teams and Worship Collective is listed in the new student guide. Global Café is named as a spiritual formation option.)
Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches): Yes (The new student guide lists Circleville churches for students to visit.)
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian mission: Yes
Chapel services during the week: Once a week (Weekly chapel services are listed.)
Chapel attendance expected of students: Required, with a set number of services each term (Students must record 27 spiritual formation attendances each semester. Chapel is one of three ways to earn them (with Awaken and Global Café); this is recorded as a set number each term.)
A chapel or worship space on campus: Yes (Detty Chapel is shown on the Circleville campus map.)
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students: 3 or more courses (Circleville day-program bachelor's core: a Bible, theology or religion course, Old Testament Literature and New Testament Literature, all required of every student. Online degree-completion programs are excluded. Counted once here and not under T3.)
Required courses include study of the Old and New Testaments: Required of all students (Old Testament Literature and New Testament Literature are both required of all bachelor's students in the core.)
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses required: None required (The core is a complete official list.)
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy): Yes (Stated in the academic description of the undergraduate curriculum.)
Bible, theology or ministry major offered: Yes (Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, and a Biblical and Theological Studies degree, are offered.)
A published statement of faith: Yes (The Statement of Faith is published on the college's site.)
Service or outreach office: Yes (The Christian Service program is run through the core's MIN1005 seminar.)
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculum: Required of all students (MIN1005 Christian Service Seminar is listed in the Circleville bachelor's core, with field engagement in approved service learning.)
Missions trips offered to students: Some (One 2026 mission trip to Japan is described. It is recorded as available.)
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for service: Some (Service learning is done through approved ministries.)
Cross-cultural or global ministry programs: Some (The Japan trip was run with the World Gospel Mission student center at OCU.)
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian mission: Yes

N/A

Worship and chapel

Not enough information · 3 of 7 found

Partly:
Chapel services during the weekOnce a week (Weekly chapel services are listed.)
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Weekly chapel services and other events designed to integrate spiritual, academic, and community life, and to engage the campus community in worship, biblically rooted teaching, and a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.”
  Weekly chapel services are part of the Circleville spiritual formation course (OCU1500).
Yes:
Chapel attendance expected of studentsRequired, with a set number of services each term (Students must record 27 spiritual formation attendances each semester. Chapel is one of three ways to earn them (with Awaken and Global Café); this is recorded as a set number each term.)
Sources (1)
1. Fall 2025 New Student Trail Guide | Ohio Christian Universityinfo.ohiochristian.edu/TrailGuideFall.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “A total of 27 attendances must be recorded to successfully meet the requirement each semester.”
  Students must record 27 spiritual formation attendances each semester.
Not enough information:
Student worship nights or praise servicesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
A chapel or worship space on campusYes (Detty Chapel is shown on the Circleville campus map.)
Sources (1)
1. Fall 2025 New Student Trail Guide, campus map | Ohio Christian Universityinfo.ohiochristian.edu/TrailGuideFall.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Detty Chapel”
  Detty Chapel is on the Circleville campus.
Not enough information:
Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayerNot enough information: no verified chapel or worship times are recorded.

Bible and theology

90 of 100 points · 6 of 6 found

Yes:
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students3 or more courses (Circleville day-program bachelor's core: a Bible, theology or religion course, Old Testament Literature and New Testament Literature, all required of every student. Online degree-completion programs are excluded. Counted once here and not under T3.)
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Biblical Literature, Theology, or Religion3 Old Testament Literature3 New Testament Literature3”
  Bachelor's students take a Bible or theology course and Old Testament and New Testament Literature courses.
Yes:
Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsRequired of all students (Old Testament Literature and New Testament Literature are both required of all bachelor's students in the core.)
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Biblical Literature, Theology, or Religion3 Old Testament Literature3 New Testament Literature3”
  Bachelor's students take a Bible or theology course and Old Testament and New Testament Literature courses.
Partly:
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses requiredNone required (The core is a complete official list.)
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Biblical Literature, Theology, or Religion3 Old Testament Literature3 New Testament Literature3”
  Bachelor's students take a Bible or theology course and Old Testament and New Testament Literature courses.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes (Stated in the academic description of the undergraduate curriculum.)
Sources (1)
1. Academics | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Our undergraduate and adult curriculum integrates faith and learning in a scholarly environment that fosters critical and creative thinking, academic excellence, and professional competence.”
  The undergraduate curriculum is described as integrating faith and learning.
Yes:
Bible, theology or ministry major offeredYes (Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, and a Biblical and Theological Studies degree, are offered.)
Sources (1)
1. Biblical Studies (BA) | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/program/ba-in-biblical-studies · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies equips students with the exegetical, linguistic, and theological knowledge and skills needed to interpret the Bible faithfully in a contemporary context.”
  A Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies is offered.
Yes:
A published statement of faithYes (The Statement of Faith is published on the college's site.)
Sources (1)
1. Statement of Faith | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/statement-of-faith · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “We believe in one God, self-existent in three Persons, co-equal and co-eternal; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
  The college publishes a Statement of Faith.

N/A

Christian community

Not enough information · 3 of 7 found

Not enough information:
Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsA few (A student Chapel Teams and Worship Collective is listed in the new student guide. Global Café is named as a spiritual formation option.)
Sources (1)
1. Fall 2025 New Student Trail Guide | Ohio Christian Universityinfo.ohiochristian.edu/TrailGuideFall.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel Teams and Worship Collective”
  A student Chapel Teams and Worship Collective is listed.
Not enough information:
Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Yes (The new student guide lists Circleville churches for students to visit.)
Sources (1)
1. Fall 2025 New Student Trail Guide, Circleville churches | Ohio Christian Universityinfo.ohiochristian.edu/TrailGuideFall.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “CIRCLEVILLE CHURCHES”
  The new student guide lists Circleville churches for students.
Yes:
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes
Sources (1)
1. University Chapel | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/university-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Our goal in the Spiritual Formation department is to set students up for a lifetime of faithfully serving and abiding with Jesus Christ”
  A Spiritual Formation department serves students.

Missions and service

78 of 100 points · 6 of 6 found

Yes:
Service or outreach officeYes (The Christian Service program is run through the core's MIN1005 seminar.)
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Introduction to the Christian Service program, including the rationale, policies, and procedures for Christian Service at Ohio Christian University, with field engagement in approved service learning through ministry and response to the needs of the community.”
  A Christian Service seminar (MIN1005) is required in the Circleville core, with service learning through ministry.
Yes:
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumRequired of all students (MIN1005 Christian Service Seminar is listed in the Circleville bachelor's core, with field engagement in approved service learning.)
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Introduction to the Christian Service program, including the rationale, policies, and procedures for Christian Service at Ohio Christian University, with field engagement in approved service learning through ministry and response to the needs of the community.”
  A Christian Service seminar (MIN1005) is required in the Circleville core, with service learning through ministry.
Partly:
Missions trips offered to studentsSome (One 2026 mission trip to Japan is described. It is recorded as available.)
Sources (1)
1. 2026 Mission Trip to Japan | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/2026-mission-trip-to-japan · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Recently, some OCU students led by Abraham Heimbach, Director of Student Involvement at WGM’s student center at OCU, went on a mission trip to Japan.”
  Students went on a 2026 mission trip to Japan, run with the WGM student center at OCU.
Partly:
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceSome (Service learning is done through approved ministries.)
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Introduction to the Christian Service program, including the rationale, policies, and procedures for Christian Service at Ohio Christian University, with field engagement in approved service learning through ministry and response to the needs of the community.”
  A Christian Service seminar (MIN1005) is required in the Circleville core, with service learning through ministry.
Partly:
Cross-cultural or global ministry programsSome (The Japan trip was run with the World Gospel Mission student center at OCU.)
Sources (1)
1. 2026 Mission Trip to Japan | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/2026-mission-trip-to-japan · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Recently, some OCU students led by Abraham Heimbach, Director of Student Involvement at WGM’s student center at OCU, went on a mission trip to Japan.”
  Students went on a 2026 mission trip to Japan, run with the WGM student center at OCU.
Yes:
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes
Sources (1)
1. Academics | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Our emphasis on ministry and missions extends beyond the classroom into real-world experiences that prepare students for a lifetime of service in ministry.”
  Ministry and missions are presented as part of the education's Christian purpose.

Strengths

Students record 27 spiritual formation attendances each semester, which can be earned through chapel, Awaken or Global Café.
Sources (2)
1. Fall 2025 New Student Trail Guide | Ohio Christian Universityinfo.ohiochristian.edu/TrailGuideFall.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “A total of 27 attendances must be recorded to successfully meet the requirement each semester.”
  Students must record 27 spiritual formation attendances each semester.
2. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Weekly chapel services and other events designed to integrate spiritual, academic, and community life, and to engage the campus community in worship, biblically rooted teaching, and a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.”
  Weekly chapel services are part of the Circleville spiritual formation course (OCU1500).
Old Testament and New Testament Literature, plus a Bible or theology course, are required of Circleville bachelor's students.
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Biblical Literature, Theology, or Religion3 Old Testament Literature3 New Testament Literature3”
  Bachelor's students take a Bible or theology course and Old Testament and New Testament Literature courses.
A Christian Service seminar with field engagement in service learning is part of the Circleville core.
Sources (1)
1. Graduation Requirements & General Education Cores | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview/general-education-cores · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Introduction to the Christian Service program, including the rationale, policies, and procedures for Christian Service at Ohio Christian University, with field engagement in approved service learning through ministry and response to the needs of the community.”
  A Christian Service seminar (MIN1005) is required in the Circleville core, with service learning through ministry.
The undergraduate curriculum is described as integrating faith and learning, and the Statement of Faith is published.
Sources (2)
1. Academics | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/academics-education-christian-worldview · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Our undergraduate and adult curriculum integrates faith and learning in a scholarly environment that fosters critical and creative thinking, academic excellence, and professional competence.”
  The undergraduate curriculum is described as integrating faith and learning.
2. Statement of Faith | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/statement-of-faith · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “We believe in one God, self-existent in three Persons, co-equal and co-eternal; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
  The college publishes a Statement of Faith.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry home

University Chapel and Spiritual Formation, Ohio Christian University

Address: 1476 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, OH 43113
Location: On campus
Facilities: chapel

Source: info.ohiochristian.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026, ohiochristian.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026, ohiochristian.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026

Campus ministry

Spiritual Formation department

Sources (1)

University Chapel | Ohio Christian Universityohiochristian.edu/about/university-chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Our goal in the Spiritual Formation department is to set students up for a lifetime of faithfully serving and abiding with Jesus Christ”
A Spiritual Formation department serves students.
“It is the time for the entire college community to meet together in a structured time of worship.”
University chapel is a structured time of worship for the whole college community.

Christian clubs and student life

3 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 1 off campus

Service 1

Mission trip to Japan (2026)Off campus
Student trip with English language classes, church relations and prayer teams.
ohiochristian.edu

Faith formation 1

Global Café (WGM student center)On campus
Named as a way to earn spiritual formation attendance, with Chapel and Awaken.
info.ohiochristian.edu

Clubs and groups 1

Chapel Teams and Worship CollectiveOn campus
Student chapel and worship teams listed in the new student guide.
info.ohiochristian.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the church. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

What families pay, by income

Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.

Average net price by family income
Family income	Price after aid
Up to $30,000	$22,113
$30,001–$48,000	$22,338
$48,001–$75,000	$15,292
$75,001–$110,000	$22,034
Over $110,000	$20,159

Full cost of attendance before aid: $35,017 a year.

Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	1,340
Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023	Men 42% · Women 58%
First-generation students College Scorecard	55%
Total students	1,483
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$20,607
Cost of attendance (per year)	$35,017
Median federal debt at graduation	$29,579
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	34%
Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients College Scorecard, within 6 years	26%
Graduation rate for first-generation students College Scorecard, within 6 years	28%
Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years College Scorecard, within 3 years	28%
First-year retention	62%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$39,813
Admission rate	38%
Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24	$30
Typical rent HUD fair market rent, FY2026	About $1,194 a month for a one-bedroom
Students receiving Pell grants	34%

Value index: 28 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Earnings by major

Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).

Median earnings by major
Major	Median earnings
Nursing	$79,453
Business administration	$58,293
Homeland Security	$53,626
Criminal justice	$53,480
Religious studies	$46,350
Kinesiology and exercise science	$44,701
Liberal arts	$43,805
Psychology	$42,140
Human services	$41,533
Counseling and mental health	$40,901
Teacher education	$40,291

Also offered (no earnings published yet): Accounting, Bible/Biblical Studies, Computing and information science, English, Health administration, History, Human resources, Marketing, Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, Music, Other theology and religious vocations, Pastoral counseling, Political science, Religious Music and Worship, Secondary education, Special education, Theology.

What students study most

Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).

Most common bachelor’s fields
Field	Share of degrees
Business	24%
Liberal arts and general studies	14%
Psychology	13%
Philosophy	10%
Criminal justice and security	8%

Campus facts

School colors
Setting	Rural
Part-time undergraduates	30%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older	29%
On-campus room and board (per year)	$9,950
Students per faculty member	14 to 1
Faculty who are full-time	100%College Scorecard, fall 2023
Endowment per student	$6,473IPEDS, 2023, per student
Dorm space	For about 17% of studentsBeds per undergraduate; not who lives on campus
Nearest airport with airline service	Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)About 14 miles away · about 40 minutes by car
Nearest major airport	John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)About 27 miles away
Town population	14,142Census, 2020–2024
Nearest city of 250,000 people or more	ColumbusAbout 26 miles away · about 50 minutes by car
Typical weather	31°F in January · 75°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Circleville, OH, about 3 miles away

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors. None of this changes the faith grades.

Campus safety reports

On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.

On-campus crimes per 1,000 students
Category	This campus	U.S. rate
Rape	0.00	0.07
Robbery	0.00	0.01
Aggravated assault	0.00	0.04
Burglary	0.00	0.08
Motor vehicle theft	0.00	0.15

Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.

Source: Official data: U.S. Department of Education

Questions families ask

Is Ohio Christian University a Christian college?: Yes. Ohio Christian University is a Christian college.

Ask the school

Something you want to know that isn’t on this page? Ask it here. We send it to the school, and their answer appears on this page. Your name is never shared.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

My rating and notes

About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 201964
Carnegie classification: Master's university (medium programs)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Other Protestant
Report an error or a newer source
Respond as this school

Colleges like this one

The same kind of school first, then the closest in selectivity, size and cost.

Not yet ratedWarner UniversityLake Wales, FLSimilarly selective Not yet ratedCarolina UniversityWinston-Salem, NCSimilarly selective Compass ScoreOklahoma Baptist UniversityShawnee, OKSimilar size and cost Compass ScoreBryan College-DaytonDayton, TNSimilar size and cost