ATU vs. OBU

Comparable Facts

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

Arkansas Tech University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Ouachita Baptist University is in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting).
• Arkansas Tech 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 Tech University 17:1; Ouachita Baptist University 14:1.

ATU vs. OBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU 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 Tech University than OBU ($12,626 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 6% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($9,720 vs. $10,338).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 297.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $25,826 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.2% higher at OBU than at Arkansas Tech University (about $19,832 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Arkansas Tech University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 130.6% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($22,830 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. OBU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU 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 ATU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 190 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming OBU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 20 at ATU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; Ouachita Baptist University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; OBU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at ATU (3.37).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 28.9% at OBU.

ATU vs. OBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU 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 Tech University's (43%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($17,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($183 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU 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.