Oklahoma Christian University 
The information on this page was last updated 1/26/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We are a passionate group of Christ-followers made up of educators, learners, seekers and creators. We are driven by missions - not just majors, and believe everyone has an important significance to this world.
OC's 200 plus-acre campus is located in northeast Oklahoma City, the state capital of Oklahoma. The university borders the city of Edmond. Students enjoy the academic, cultural and recreational benefits of a big city in a safe and comfortable suburban atmosphere.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Oklahoma Christian University
2501 E Memorial Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73013
Website: oc.edu
Phone: 800-877-5010
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 730555460
CEO/President: Ken Jones
Chairman: Mark Brewer
Board size: 28
Founder: Dr. Harold Fletcher
Ruling year: 1952
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 05/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
At OC, you'll receive a world-class education rooted in Christian values, empowering you to become a passionate, compassionate contributor to your community. Our holistic approach to education extends beyond academic excellence, fostering spiritual growth and career development, preparing you to lead a life aligned with GOD'S PURPOSE.
Mission statement
Oklahoma Christian University educates, mentors and inspires learners to fulfill their God-given potential.
Statement of faith
Oklahoma Christian University is a higher learning community that transforms lives for Christian faith, leadership and service.
The values and behavior of this Christian community are derived from the Bible, rather than the prevailing culture. Because we are a higher learning community dedicated to a distinctively Christian mission, we join together in a community covenant. This covenant is not a creed demanding strict belief in its veracity and inerrancy, and it is not merely an ideal to which we aspire; rather, it is a personal commitment that while we are members of this community, we will abide by the principles and ideals set forth in the covenant. The purpose of our covenant is to unite all of us at Oklahoma Christian University-students, staff, faculty, administration and Board of Trustees - in a Christian community which is based on biblical principles and which transforms lives for Christian faith, scholarship and service.
We recognize that the University is not the church; however, we are a Christian community which seeks to be guided by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in scripture. We welcome all students, regardless of their church affiliation, who agree to abide by this covenant. The University was founded by members of the churches of Christ and we seek to serve our church constituents effectively. Therefore, we expect all full-time faculty and staff to be faithful, active members of a local church and to fully embrace the principles of this covenant.
Our Foundation-
God interacts with this world as both Creator and Savior (Genesis 1; Hebrews 1:1-3).
The Bible is God's inspired word, which shows us the nature of God, the risen son, and the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
We seek to honor God by imitating the nature of God and his son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 13:13-17; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21).
As members of this Christian higher learning community, we are guided by specific principles set forth in the Bible (Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Our Call - God calls us to do our best in everything we do (Colossians 3:17; Colossians 3:23).
God calls us to submit our will to his (John 15:14; James 4:7; 1 John 2:17).
God calls us to submit to one another in love (1 Corinthians 10:23-24; Galatians 5:13-14; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3-4) and to show his love through the justice, mercy and faithfulness of our lives (Matthew 5; Matthew 23).
God calls us to live lives of holiness (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians. 4:7; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
Our Community Life - We strive to honor the Lord and be Christlike in all of our conduct (Colossians 3:12-14; Titus 2:11-14).
We strive to demonstrate love and respect for everyone, even those who have views that differ from ours, and avoid conduct or language that is demeaning to others (Galatians 3:28; Philippians 2:3-4; James 2:1-13).
We strive to exercise our Christian freedom responsibly within the framework of God's word, humbly submitting to others (I Corinthians 10:23-24; 31-33).
We strive to use wise stewardship of our mind, body, time, abilities and resources and make thoughtful, biblically guided choices in matters of behavior, entertainment and interpersonal relationships (Philippians 4:8).
We strive to practice honesty and integrity in everything we say and do (Colossians 3:9-10; Revelation 21:8).
We strive to treat our bodies with the honor due the temple of the Holy Spirit - honoring God's plan that sexual relations be a part of a marriage between a man and a woman, dressing modestly and avoiding any self-destructive practices (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
For the sake of our personal influence and our life together in Christian community, we also agree to certain community standards of conduct which are not specifically set forth in the Bible, but which enable the community to operate peaceably and in harmony with these principles and with one another. These community standards are set forth in the Student Handbook, the Staff Handbook and the Faculty Handbook.
By choosing to be a part of the Oklahoma Christian University community, every member of the student body, staff, faculty, and Board of Trustees affirms his or her understanding of, respect for, and commitment to abide by the principles, and standards of conduct set forth in this covenant.
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 325 of 1435 | 9 of 155 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 675 of 1435 | 67 of 155 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 336 of 1435 | 18 of 155 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 488 of 1436 | 56 of 155 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $1,017,066 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 11% | 11% | 12% | 7% | 7% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 15% | 10% | 11% | 13% | 23% | 15% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 85% | 90% | 89% | 87% | 77% | 85% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 89% | 88% | 87% | 89% | 89% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 104% | 105% | 100% | 95% | 99% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 81% | 93% | 93% | 87% | 84% | 88% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | -4% | -5% | 0% | 5% | 1% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -4% | -5% | 0% | 6% | 1% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 10% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.52 | 0.63 | 0.61 | 0.60 | 0.57 | 0.51 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.73 | 2.14 | 2.20 | 2.35 | 2.44 | 2.30 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.45 | 1.35 | 1.35 | 1.41 | 1.38 | 1.18 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.18 | 8.30 | 8.23 | 7.71 | 8.81 | 9.62 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.13 | 0.11 | 0.10 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.99 | 7.85 | 7.80 | 7.38 | 7.71 | 9.10 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 20% | 42% | 42% | 43% | 42% | 46% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 10% | 34% | 34% | 35% | 36% | 38% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 148% | 93% | 95% | 95% | 102% | 106% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $5,541,274 | $6,038,362 | $7,373,810 | $12,337,398 | $12,720,658 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $7,739,817 | $8,121,599 | $7,871,770 | $7,951,741 | $8,256,817 |
| Short-term investments | $43,555,016 | $40,693,278 | $37,694,921 | $32,677,859 | $35,299,194 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $56,836,107 | $54,853,239 | $52,940,501 | $52,966,998 | $56,276,669 |
| Long-term investments | $1,676,316 | $1,591,583 | $3,820,129 | $3,420,990 | $1,663,588 |
| Fixed assets | $58,992,375 | $60,298,122 | $63,352,877 | $66,379,368 | $64,978,680 |
| Other long-term assets | $3,884,339 | $4,169,226 | $4,089,179 | $6,461,603 | $6,619,347 |
| Total long-term assets | $64,553,030 | $66,058,931 | $71,262,185 | $76,261,961 | $73,261,615 |
| Total assets | $121,389,137 | $120,912,170 | $124,202,686 | $129,228,959 | $129,538,284 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $4,550,363 | $3,997,642 | $4,238,557 | $3,628,043 | $4,029,208 |
| Other current liabilities | $2,297,551 | $2,665,202 | $2,631,835 | $2,384,396 | $1,823,010 |
| Total current liabilities | $6,847,914 | $6,662,844 | $6,870,392 | $6,012,439 | $5,852,218 |
| Debt | $41,869,662 | $41,537,876 | $43,728,057 | $46,062,585 | $49,689,549 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $1,751,584 | $2,056,662 | $2,387,925 | $2,695,631 | $3,587,748 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $43,621,246 | $43,594,538 | $46,115,982 | $48,758,216 | $53,277,297 |
| Total liabilities | $50,469,160 | $50,257,382 | $52,986,374 | $54,770,655 | $59,129,515 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $16,045,276 | $18,485,038 | $21,663,483 | $24,091,478 | $20,085,029 |
| With donor restrictions | $54,874,701 | $52,169,750 | $49,552,829 | $50,366,826 | $50,323,740 |
| Net assets | $70,919,977 | $70,654,788 | $71,216,312 | $74,458,304 | $70,408,769 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $7,515,195 | $7,967,671 | $9,847,152 | $18,021,892 | $10,198,316 |
| Program service revenue | $64,189,696 | $60,279,796 | $60,159,057 | $56,373,378 | $54,863,458 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,031,504 | $887,743 | $3,391,872 | $1,663,369 | $1,383,084 |
| Other revenue | $526,767 | $1,279,404 | $1,486,899 | $1,196,244 | $757,802 |
| Total other revenue | $65,747,967 | $62,446,943 | $65,037,828 | $59,232,991 | $57,004,344 |
| Total revenue | $73,263,162 | $70,414,614 | $74,884,980 | $77,254,883 | $67,202,660 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $68,075,823 | $65,386,682 | $65,285,425 | $64,711,194 | $58,974,409 |
| Management and general | $7,513,368 | $7,889,460 | $8,404,914 | $7,173,320 | $6,795,282 |
| Fundraising | $859,977 | $844,601 | $1,171,110 | $1,179,871 | $741,055 |
| Total expenses | $76,449,168 | $74,120,743 | $74,861,449 | $73,064,385 | $66,510,746 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($3,186,006) | ($3,706,129) | $23,531 | $4,190,498 | $691,914 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($3,186,006) | ($3,706,129) | $23,531 | $4,190,498 | $691,914 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| John R deSteiguer | Chancellor | $295,421 |
| Lyndell K Jones | President | $275,252 |
| John D Hermes | Chief Information and Operations Officer | $178,589 |
| Brian T Starr | Provost | $161,516 |
| Stephen R Eck | Chief Legal Officer | $160,532 |
| Byron L Newberry | Assoc. Provost, Dean College of Engineering | $160,484 |
| David R Lynn | Athletic Director, Mens Golf Head Coach | $153,955 |
| Patrick Smith | Associate Professor of Science and Engineering | $149,730 |
| Jennifer L Ray | Chief Financial Officer | $142,513 |
| David North | Director of Computer Science | $138,692 |
| Christine E Merideth | Chief Advancement Officer | $136,544 |
Compensation data as of: 5/31/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 1/26/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Founded in 1950, Oklahoma Christian University was once named Central Christian College and located in Bartlesville, OK. Only 97 students were enrolled in the junior college. Since then, we've grown to over 2,000 students and are an internationally recognized university in Oklahoma City.