Arkansas State University vs. OBU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR with Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas State University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); Ouachita Baptist University is in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; Ouachita Baptist University 14:1.

Arkansas State University vs. OBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or OBU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University than OBU ($12,410 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 15.8% lower than at Arkansas State University ($9,720 vs. $11,550).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 326.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $26,410 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.6% higher at OBU than at Arkansas State University (about $19,978 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Arkansas State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 70.4% larger than aid received by Arkansas State University students ($22,830 vs. $13,395).

Arkansas State University vs. OBU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or OBU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OBU and Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 100 points higher than at Arkansas State University (1080).
• Incoming OBU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Arkansas State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arkansas State University 970/1190; Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arkansas State University 18/24; Ouachita Baptist University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; OBU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Arkansas State University (3.66).
• Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 28.9% at OBU.

Arkansas State University vs. OBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University and OBU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Ouachita Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.