Fast Facts & Press Info

Olivet Nazarene University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university — a service of the Church of the Nazarene, theologically grounded in the Wesleyan tradition.

President: 
Dr. Gregg Chenoweth

Location: 
Olivet is centrally located in the historic Village of Bourbonnais, Illinois — just 50 miles south of Chicago’s Loop — with additional Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest.

Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce

Campus:  

The beautiful, park-like campus includes 25 major buildings on 275 acres.

History: 
Founded in 1907 by a group of families who desired a distinctively Christian education for their children.

Accreditation:  

The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413, Phone 800-621-7440 or 312-263-0456, Fax 312-263-7462

  • Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics
  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  • Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

Students: 
About 3,500 (2,525 undergraduate) students from more than 40 states and 20 countries, representing nearly 50 religious denominations.

Faculty & Staff:

Degrees: 
Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degree programs

Academic Calendar: 
Two-semester calendar, with summer offerings

Academics: 
Approximately 140 areas of study organized into seven Schools and one College. Students are offered the opportunity to study in locations such as China, Costa Rica, England, Egypt, Romania, Russia, Uganda,Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. The graduate degrees and online studies program offers a variety of master’s degrees in such fields as business, counseling, education, nursing, ministry, teaching and educational administration, as well as nontraditional adult degree completion programs and a Doctor of Education degree in Ethical Leadership.

Technology and Computer Resources: 
Most recent technological updates include: wireless campus, 400 network access locations, and SMART classrooms.

Clubs and Organizations: 
Students participate in more than 90 clubs and organizations representing diverse interests, including publications, ROTC, radio broadcasting, music and theatrical performance, and spiritual life organizations.

Campus Events: 
Evenings and weekends are filled with cultural events such as art shows and performance artists ranging from dramatists to Christian singers to stars of the Metropolitan Opera. Additionally, annual special events include: Homecoming, Christmas Banquet, and Ollies Follies. Speakers on Olivet’s campus have included MLB All-Star Ben Zobrist, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; Jeff Sheler, contributing editor for U.S. News and World Report; news commentator and author Fred Barnes; and Mike Singletary, former Chicago Bear and member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

Campus Hot Spots: 
Starbucks; the Webb (formerly known as the Red Room); Perry Student Life and Recreation Center.

Athletics: 
Twenty-two intercollegiate teams for men and women, plus an active intramural program. Member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). More than 300 student-athletes participate in intercollegiate sports.

Shine.FM/WONU: 
Students help in the operation of Olivet’s 35,000-watt Christian music radio station, consistently rated among the nation’s top 20 contemporary Christian music radio stations.

Cost and Financial Aid: 
Olivet believes in affordable excellence, as the cost to attend the University is below average for private colleges nationwide.

Admissions Requirements: 
Based on high school record (or college transcripts for transfer students), ACT score and personal recommendations.

Admissions Policy: 
Admits qualified students without discrimination in regard to race, color, creed, handicap, gender, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Olivet.

Alumni: 
Worldwide network of more than 40,000 living alumni

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy As to Students
View nondiscrimination policy

Federal Disclosure Notices 
View federal disclosure notices