Ottawa University-Surprise logo

Ottawa University-Surprise

Surprise, AZ·Private·www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/home

Campus Identity

NAIAGraduate Programs

Ottawa University-Surprise is a small private nonprofit university in Surprise, AZ. Approximately 836 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 78% acceptance rate. Lake Pleasant is about 16 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 44/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Ottawa University-Surprise is a small private nonprofit university in Surprise, AZ. Approximately 836 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 78% acceptance rate. Lake Pleasant is about 16 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 44/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

78%
Acceptance Rate
1,355 applications
18
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 16–21
$35,880
2024-25 Tuition
$33,393
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$15,833
Room & Board
836
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
26%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
18%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity78% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

440450590

SAT Math

400500570

Campus Lifestyle

Ottawa University-Surprise is a under 1,000, suburban school with NAIA athletics. The campus is 110 miles from Elk Ridge Ski & Outdoor Recreation Area.

Athletics

NAIA

GSAC

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Suburban setting

Weather

Hot Climate

66°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Ottawa University-Surprise students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Elk Ridge Ski & Outdoor Recreation Area, 110 miles away. All are within 124 miles of campus.

123 mi away
124 mi away
777 skiable acres8 lifts

Nearby Lake

Lake Pleasant is 16 miles from campus, giving Ottawa University-Surprise students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Pleasant

Lake access within 15.9 miles

16 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Surprise, AZ

Surprise has a warm climate, with winters averaging 52°F in Dec and summers peaking around 92°F in Jul.

53°Jan56°Feb63°Mar70°Apr78°May87°Jun92°Jul91°Aug85°Sep73°Oct61°Nov52°Dec

Station: YOUNGTOWN · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Ottawa University-Surprise in AZ earns a composite safety score of 44/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

44/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety563334
56/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
33/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$35,880
Fees
$3,400
Room & Board
$15,833
Total
$55,113
App Fee: $25
$33,393avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

27 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
47 grads/yr
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
44 grads/yr$64,798
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
24 grads/yr$84,083
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
23 grads/yr$43,959
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
14 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's24 grads$84,083
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Bachelor's grads$82,317
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's2 grads$72,368
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's4 grads$67,727
Human Resources Management and Services
Bachelor's1 grads$66,759
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's44 grads$64,798
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Master's1 grads$62,455
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor's9 grads$59,445
Human Services, General
Bachelor's1 grads$52,309
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's4 grads$50,010

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ottawa University-Surprise located?

Ottawa University-Surprise is located in Surprise, AZ. The main campus address is 15950 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Ottawa University-Surprise?

Ottawa University-Surprise has an acceptance rate of 78%, making it accessible. Out of 1,355 applicants, 1,059 were admitted in the most recent year. 836 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Ottawa University-Surprise?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Ottawa University-Surprise scored between 16 and 21 on the ACT, with a median of 18. About 8% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Ottawa University-Surprise?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Ottawa University-Surprise charges $35,880/year in tuition. Including room and board ($15,833/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $33,000/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $33,393/year — what students actually pay. Use Ottawa University-Surprise's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Ottawa University-Surprise?

The undergraduate application fee at Ottawa University-Surprise is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Ottawa University-Surprise have college sports?

Yes — Ottawa University-Surprise competes at the NAIA level in the GSAC. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Ottawa University-Surprise the right fit for me?

Whether Ottawa University-Surprise is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (78% admit rate), avg net price ($33,393/year after aid), campus culture in Surprise, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Ottawa University-Surprise against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Ottawa University-Surprise directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Surprise, AZ
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NAIA
Conference
GSAC
School Year Weather
Hot · 66°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
44/100
Nearest Airport
Glendale, AZ (LUF) · 7 mialso PHX (25 mi), AZA (47 mi)

Location

Surprise, AZ

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.