Official emblem of Olivet Nazarene University

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, United States Founded 1907

Overview

English Name: Olivet Nazarene University
Acronyms: ONU
Founded: 1907
Control Type: Private
Entity Type: Non-profit
Religious Affiliation: Christian-Evangelical
Motto: Education with a Christian Purpose
Colours: Purple and gold
Mascot: Toby the Tiger
Official emblem of Olivet Nazarene University

Founded in 1907, the Olivet Nazarene University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Bourbonnais (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Illinois.

Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Evangelical religion. Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 117-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 60-69% making this US higher education organization a moderately selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

ONU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Location pin, postal address, phone, email, website, and social profiles for Olivet Nazarene University. Always verify channels through the official domain to avoid third-party impersonators.

Address: One University Avenue
Postal Code: 60914-2271
Map:
Phone: +1 (815) 939 5011
Fax: +1 (815) 935 4998
Social Media:

Academic Details

The figures below cover Olivet Nazarene University's academic scale, faculty depth, and recognised standing. Treat the enrolment count as a point-in-time snapshot; trends require multi-year comparison.

Total Students: 2,603
Student Enrollment: 3
Academic Staff Range: 300-399
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) Nazarene Educators Worldwide (NEW) National Athletic Association (NAA) National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

Academic Structures

Olivet Nazarene University's internal academic units — faculties, schools, and institutes — are grouped below. The breakdown helps when navigating departmental websites and specific contact points.

Unit 7 items
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Business
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Graduate and Continuing Studies
  • School of Professional Studies
  • School of Theology and Christian Ministry

Programs Offered

Below are Olivet Nazarene University's active programmes grouped by degree level, with search. Use the filter to narrow by keyword and the level groupings to compare options at the same qualification tier.

Bachelor's Degree

63 programmes

Olivet Nazarene University delivers 63 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Geography and Cartography Geography
Economics Economics
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Social Work Social Work
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Psychology, General Psychology
Physical Sciences, Other Natural Sciences
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Chemistry Chemistry
Physical Sciences, General Natural Sciences
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies Religious Studies
Religious Music and Worship Religious Studies
Religious Education Religious Studies
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Religious Studies
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
History History
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations Retail Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Management Information Systems and Services IT Management
International Business International Business
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Bible/Biblical Studies Religious Studies
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Nutrition & Dietetics
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Music Music
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Information Systems & Technology
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
Computer Programming Computer Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Sport and Exercise Science
Data Science Liberal Arts
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Liberal Arts
Mathematics Mathematics
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Zoology/Animal Biology Biological Sciences
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Family & Consumer Science
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Engineering, General General Engineering

Master's Degree

13 programmes

At postgraduate taught level, Olivet Nazarene University runs 13 programmes. These master's degrees suit applicants ready to concentrate on a narrower field than their bachelor's covered.

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies Religious Studies
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Religious Studies
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities Health Sciences
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Education & Teaching
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Engineering-Related Fields General Engineering

Doctorate

1 programme

There are 1 programme to choose from at Olivet Nazarene University for doctoral candidates. A PhD or equivalent typically takes three or more years of supervised, independent research.

Education, Other Education & Teaching

Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications

8 programmes

These 8 programmes cover Olivet Nazarene University's associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation options — qualifications valued for fast, targeted, or pathway-oriented study.

Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching

How to apply to Olivet Nazarene University

Application guidance for Olivet Nazarene University, structured as five practical steps with attention to documents and admissions communication.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at Olivet Nazarene University

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Olivet Nazarene University offers 85 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Each programme at Olivet Nazarene University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Apply directly via Olivet Nazarene University's online portal at www.olivet.edu. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (815) 939 5011. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Olivet Nazarene University

Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about Olivet Nazarene University, drawn directly from institutional records.

How old is Olivet Nazarene University?

The institution opened in 1907 (approximately 119 years ago).

In which city is Olivet Nazarene University?

Olivet Nazarene University is based in Bourbonnais, United States.

Is Olivet Nazarene University a public or private institution?

It is a private higher-education institution.

How many students study at Olivet Nazarene University?

Olivet Nazarene University has approximately 3,000-3,999 students.

Is Olivet Nazarene University affiliated with a religion?

Olivet Nazarene University is associated with Christian-Evangelical.

How many faculties does Olivet Nazarene University have?

The institution comprises 7 academic units.

Who recognises Olivet Nazarene University?

The institution holds recognition from Higher Learning Commission.

Where can I learn more about Olivet Nazarene University?

The institution's website is www.olivet.edu.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

Industry partnerships of the United States's top universities signal employer engagement at the apex of the system. Lower-ranked institutions including Olivet Nazarene University may still partner with strong employers locally.

Members of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)

Membership renewal cycles for Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) create periodic quality reviews. Recent renewals or admissions to the network signal currency of standards — older memberships may need re-examination.

Other American Universities Affiliated with Christian-Evangelical

Religious-tradition student associations are typically active at Christian-Evangelical institutions. Joining one at the peers below often connects you to alumni networks within the tradition.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Other institutions in Olivet Nazarene University's region offer similar admissions cycles and overlapping subject areas, listed below for comparison. Regional clusters often share employer networks and post-study career pathways.

Where Else to Study Education & Teaching

Universities in the United States with strong Education & Teaching provision give natural alternatives to Olivet Nazarene University. Specialism strengths vary by institution and often correlate with faculty research interests and industry partnerships.

Universities Often Compared with Olivet Nazarene University

Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending Olivet Nazarene University often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.

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