Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Arkadelphia, Arkansas |
| Online | obu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Southern Baptist |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Ouachita Baptist University sits on a wooded campus along the Ouachita River in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, approximately 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. Founded in 1886, the private liberal arts institution maintains its affiliation with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and requires all unmarried undergraduate students to live in campus housing. The university emphasizes a residential college experience with traditional brick buildings arranged around a central campus plaza. Academic programs are centered on the liberal arts with notable strengths in business, music, Christian studies, and communications, while maintaining a selective admission process for its undergraduate programs. As a member of the NCAA Division II Great American Conference, Ouachita Baptist fields competitive athletic teams known as the Tigers, with particularly strong swimming and diving programs.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
OBU is rated within the top 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Ouachita Baptist University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#461 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#322 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Colleges in Arkansas
#3 in Best Private Colleges in Arkansas
#255 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in Arkansas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1060/1290 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| GPA | 3.72 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Other Fees | $700 |
| Room and Board | $9,240 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,678 |
| Total One Year Cost | $47,498 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Theology and Religious Vvocations | 20% |
| Business | 15% |
| Education | 9% |
| Biology | 8% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering OBU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=107512 IPEDS survey data for Ouachita Baptist University.
Current students may use the Ouachita Baptist University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025