OBU Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Arkadelphia, AR
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OBU Admission Overview

OBU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year OBU admitted 67.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (A-) and SAT 1070-1280 / ACT 22-28. OBU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

OBU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

OBU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

67.5%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The OBU acceptance rate is 67.5%. Last year, 1,455 of 2,155 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate in Arkansas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into OBU and can you get accepted?

OBU is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Ouachita Baptist University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.72. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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OBU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.72

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.72

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at OBU typically have around a 3.72 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. OBU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

38% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #4 in Arkansas for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Ouachita Baptist University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	38.3%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	25.26%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	13.66%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	9.32%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	7.45%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	5.18%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.83%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Reach
less than 1.00	0%	Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

OBU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1070-1280

Freshmen who sent SAT

15%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 540
Math 530
Composite 1070

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 650
Math 630
Composite 1280

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at OBU typically score around a 1180 SAT (middle 50% 1070–1280) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 73rd percentile nationally. OBU ranks #3 in the state of Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1070 to 1280

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

OBU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Ouachita Baptist University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1280+	Above 75th	>80%
1180 to 1280	Avg +	69%-80%
1070 to 1180	Avg -	53%-69%
Below 1070	Below mid-50	<53%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

OBU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-28

Freshmen reporting ACT

74%

25th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 19
Composite 22

75th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 26
Composite 28

Average ACT

Incoming testers at OBU typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 22–28) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. OBU places #2 among colleges in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 28

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to OBU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

See my Chances for Admission

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Ouachita Baptist University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
28+	Above 75th	>80%
25 to 28	Avg +	68%-80%
22 to 25	Avg -	53%-68%
Below 22	Below mid-50	<53%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

59% of Ouachita Baptist University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 31% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Ouachita Baptist University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	31%
Top 25% of class	59%
Top 50% of class	84%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the OBU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Ouachita Baptist University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,235	914	2,155
Accepted	845	605	1,455
Acceptance Rate	68%	66%	68%
Enrolled	233	188	421
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	28%	31%	29%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Ouachita Baptist University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Ouachita Baptist University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Ouachita Baptist University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Ouachita Baptist University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

OBU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 67.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1070-1280); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025