Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Oglethorpe?

Small and familial, the university's total student population numbers just over 1,000, about 75% of whom are full-time, undergraduate day students. The remainder of the student body is made up of evening, part-time, and graduate students.

What is the student/faculty ratio?

13:1

What is the average class size?

16

Where is the Oglethorpe campus?

Located in the residential Brookhaven district of metropolitan Atlanta, Oglethorpe's 105-acre campus is nestled into a piece of prime real estate in one of the country's most dynamic international cities. In 2001 MSN.com ranked Oglethorpe University among the nation's top 10 college campuses, identifying it as "the place to be in Atlanta for students." A statuesque stone perimeter-wall, breathtaking Gothic architecture, and manicured tree-lined grounds provide an old world, English ambience that stands in contrast to the hustle-and-bustle of the surrounding city. Yet this is one of the things that make Oglethorpe pleasingly different - it's a small, safe academic powerhouse in the midst of uncommonly urban opportunities for internships, employment, and recreation. Maps and directions to our campus are available on our website.

How competitive is admission to Oglethorpe?

Oglethorpe University is considered to be a highly selective institution by the National Association of College Admission Counseling. Our enrollment "mission" is very focused on getting to know each and every applicant, and as a result, the university does not publish cut-off criteria for admission. Still, a profile of the competitive applicant may be gleaned by taking a look at the high school statistics of 2006's incoming freshman class:

Where do Oglethorpe students come from?

Though most Oglethorpe students hail from the southeastern United States, there are currently 34 states and 36 foreign countries represented in the university's student body. Oglethorpe students are exceptionally diverse, though characteristically cosmopolitan. Thirty-four percent of the student body is of color, eight percent of the student body is international, and the university actively encourages applications from students of all races, national origins, genders, sexual orientations and religious backgrounds. Oglethorpe's familial atmosphere fosters supportive connections between all kinds of students, and the city provides dynamic connections to the world.

What are athletics at Oglethorpe like?

Oglethorpe's NCAA Division III athletics program boasts a men's golf team ranked 6th in the nation, and competitive programs in basketball, baseball, cross-country, soccer, tennis, and track (for men) and basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, tennis, track, and volleyball (for women). Intramural sports run the gamut from Ultimate Frisbee to flag football to basketball and more. 

How much does it cost to go to Oglethorpe?

Identified by Barron's Best Buys as "one of the lowest private-college tuitions in the nation," Oglethorpe University believes that higher education should not be a privilege reserved only for those who can afford it and that educational opportunities should not be limited by the financial resources of the student's family. Using a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study programs and loans, Oglethorpe's Office of Financial Aid strives to create award packages that make an Oglethorpe education possible for any student. About 89% of Oglethorpe's students receive some kind of scholarship or grant, and the student body is comprised of individuals from all economic backgrounds.

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Are there scholarship opportunities at Oglethorpe?

Yes! One of the largest and most generous merit-based scholarship programs at any liberal arts college in the nation, The James Edward Oglethorpe (JEO) Scholarship Experience annually awards over $5 million dollars to each incoming freshman class. Every year about 90 scholarships are awarded that cover about 60% of Oglethorpe's total cost (with guaranteed grants from various sources), and 5 are awarded that cover full tuition, room, and board. To be considered for the JEO Experience, the university recommends that applicants have (1) a combined SAT score of 1360 or composite ACT score of 31; (2) a grade point average of no less than 3.75 in academic courses; and (3) a superior record of leadership in school and community activities. In addition to this program, The Oglethorpe Scholars Award (OSA) Program awards scholarships ranging in value from those that cover about 20% to just over half of total cost. Students who do not qualify for consideration for JEO are automatically considered for the OSA program when they apply.

What are the "best" majors at Oglethorpe?

Unlike larger institutions, at which there may be great discrepancies of quality between programs, Oglethorpe specializes in providing an extraordinarily well-thought-out curriculum that unifies all courses of study at the university. Indeed, due to Oglethorpe's small size and expert teaching faculty, all major programs provide exceptional training. Currently, the most popular majors at the university are Biology, Communications, English, Business Administration and Psychology.