Admission
What questions do you have?
Below are just a few of the many questions prospective students and parents ask. Click below to connect with someone to answer your specific questions.
What is the value of the degree?
Typical Oak Valley College graduates have worked on more than a dozen real-world projects, developed a full business plan, delivered more than 30 professional presentations, and gained more than 3,000 hours of practical real-world experience.
You will expand your Christian worldview, develop a mature sense of self, and gain a rich understanding moral and ethical leadership.
You will mature into a critical thinker, real-world problem solver, communicator, and compassionate contributor to your career, family, and community.
You will also develop relationships that you will cherish for a lifetime.
How will I graduate in two years and eight months?
Oak Valley does not have months-long summer or Christmas breaks (you still get seven weeklong breaks each year). You complete three semesters your first two years (fall, spring, summer) and two semesters your senior year. All courses are required (no electives or prerequisites), so you do not waste time taking courses you do not need or want. That is two years and eight months!
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A small group of students who take all their courses together — kind of like an adopted family.
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You are not alone. Many Oak Valley students have no interest in “business.” Students with a business degree can do nearly anything, including teaching, nonprofit, government, or just about anything. Your undergraduate business degree is stepping stone to thousands of career opportunities. If you can think of it, you can do it with a Bachelor of Arts in Business.
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Every professor and staff member knows you by name. It ends up school is school — you attend classes, you connect with a small group of friends, and you do your homework. What you experience at Oak Valley is focused and directed around what you need to launch your career. Oak Valley is affordable, purposeful, and friendly.
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You are a full-time student at Oak Valley, meaning you take four courses per semester. Each course is scheduled for three hours each week, so you have 16 class hours per week. After that, you can anticipate roughly 5-7 hours of homework per week per course. This translates, on average, to around 40 hours of work per week —roughly the equivalent of a full-time job. The reality is each week is a little different, so the hours are requirements change from week to week.
What other questions do you have?
Below, we go over some additional questions we commonly hear from applicants, parents, and teachers. Still do not see what you need, contact Oak Valley below, and we will get right back to you.
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Students have applied from the cities below, and Admissions Counselors travel to public and Christian high schools to do presentations in these cities.
San Bernardino
Riverside
Redlands
Rancho Cucamonga
Ontario
Fontana
Rialto
Loma Linda
Fontana
Colton
Yucaipa
Corona
Chino
Chino Hills
Upland
Claremont
Moreno Valley
Perris
Crestline
Victorville
Hesperia
Phelan
Beaumont
Banning
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Oak Valley Admissions Counselors visit schools and students apply from the following cities.
Santa Ana
Anaheim
Irvine
Fullerton
Costa Mesa
Garden Grove
Costa Mesa
Downey
Los Alamitos
Newport Beach
Laguna Beach
Yorba Linda
Orange
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Oak Valley compares favorable in all categories with local colleges and universities often beating their four year graduation rates with Oak Valley’s three year grad rate, and beating all of them on cost. Local schools include California Baptist University. Biola University, Azusa Pacific University, UC Irvine, CSU - San Bernardino, CSU - Fullerton, CSU - Long Beach, Vanguard University, Concordia University, and Chapman University.
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Oak Valley’s lock-step, year-round schedule provides one of the fastest ways to earn your bachelor’s degree (two years and eight months). It is faster than the four years most schools offer and quite a bit faster than the 5-6 year average that most students end up achieving.
How do I graduate with no student loans?
Oak Valley does not offer loans — and you do not need them. Oak Valley leverages government grants (not loans), donations, and a small semester or monthly payment from students. On average, the degree costs a few hundred dollars per month, and the entire degree is less than one year’s tuition at most colleges or universities.
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100% of students receive financial aid, including government grants (Pell and/or Cal Grants) and/or institutional aid from generous donors who support student scholarships. Cal Grant recipients receive a full-tuition scholarships. Other students pay a few hundred dollars per month. In the end, the typical student pays 40% less than Cal State tuition and 80% less than other private colleges or universities.
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Oftentimes, students come to Oak Valley with credits from other colleges or universities. Because of the unique nature of Oak Valley’s program and the cohort style of learning, you will still take all courses. If you are considering other college options that accept your transfer credit, consider the tradeoffs, and determine if you will graduate in two years and eight months with NO student loans.
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At Oak Valley, you take several Theology courses, including Old and New Testament Surveys, Systematic Theology, Spiritual Formation. In addition, every other course has a “faith-integration” component, which means that Christian themes are discussed and considered. For example, you will discuss Christian ethics in your Business Law course, you may explore marketing for a church or ministry in Principles of Marketing, and you will examine Christian servant theories in your Leadership course.
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Admissions at Oak Valley is holistic, meaning your Admissions Counselor will discuss the program and ask you questions regarding your interest and “fit” at Oak Valley. From an academic standpoint, if you have a 2.5+ high school GPA you and wish to study business at a Christian college, you are a great fit. If you have less than a 2.5 GPA you may still be a good fit, but there will be some additional questions your Counselor will ask to ensure you are going to be able to succeed at Oak Valley.
What are courses like?
Every professor teaches from a perspective that blends the latest teaching methodologies including the integration (not abuse) of AI. Business professors are practitioners with years of professional experience, not researchers, so you learn real-world lessons.
Professors are Christian and teach from a faith perspective ensuring you develop a balance of purpose and ethics. All business courses are taught from a practical real-world perspective, so you can learn by doing.
Since classes are small, you are able to get your needs and questions addressed by a professor (not a teaching assistant).
Oak Valley’s intimate classroom experience is what students value most compared with other colleges and universities where students rarely, if ever, connect with their professors.
What Graduates Say
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"Oak Valley College prepared me for the business world while creating an outstanding learning environment and great support system. With the skills I am learning I will be able to use my degree to better my life."
Joesanna, Class of 2023
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“I came to Oak Valley to learn about God while acquiring my bachelor’s degree. Here, I receive a great education and graduate debt free in less than four years.”
Brett, Class of 2024
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“Oak Valley College has been an enriching educational experience. I have learned many things that will help me in my future with the bonus of making new friends with my cohort.”
Yulisa, Class of 2023
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“Attending Oak Valley College has been one of the most rewarding and challenging decisions I have ever made. I am so thankful for all the life lessons, wisdom, and experiences I have had so far. I know God is using this education to prepare me for the purposes He has for me, now and in the future.”
Julia, Class of 2024
“The Launch Pad forces students to build something of their own. They become makers in the real world for real people.”
Professor Adams