Henderson State University vs. OU

Deciding between Henderson State University and Ottawa University Ottawa? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Henderson State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR
  • OU Ottawa, KS
  • Setting
  • Henderson State University Distant Town
  • OU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Henderson State University 2,055
  • OU 999
  • Type
  • Henderson State University Public 4 Year
  • OU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Henderson State University #1024
  • OU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Henderson State University -
  • OU American Baptist
  • Status
  • Henderson State University Non-profit
  • OU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Henderson State University
  • OU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Henderson State University $8,244
  • OU $35,880
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Henderson State University $10,620
  • OU $35,880
  • Room & Board
  • Henderson State University $10,000
  • OU $13,646
  • Average Net Price
  • Henderson State University $20,444
  • OU $28,185
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University $7,867
  • OU $23,692
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University 98%
  • OU 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Henderson State University -
  • OU 2,611
  • Admitted
  • Henderson State University -
  • OU 2,166
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Henderson State University
  • OU 83%
  • Enrolled
  • Henderson State University
  • OU 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Henderson State University 990
  • OU 880
  • Typical ACT score
  • Henderson State University 18
  • OU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • Henderson State University 3.23
  • OU 3.12
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Henderson State University B+
  • OU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Henderson State University Extremely Easy
  • OU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Henderson State University
  • OU
  • ACT Range
  • Henderson State University 16/21
  • OU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • Henderson State University 903/1073
  • OU 750/1000
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Henderson State University Not reported
  • OU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • OU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Henderson State University 14:1
  • OU 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Henderson State University
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • OU
    • Business (33%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (18%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Henderson State University 31%
  • OU 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Henderson State University $38,400
  • OU $46,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Henderson State University 48%
  • OU 46%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Henderson State University $19,500
  • OU $21,875
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Henderson State University $201
  • OU $226
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Henderson State University 41%
  • OU 62%
  • % Women
  • Henderson State University 59%
  • OU 38%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Henderson State University Medium
  • OU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Henderson State University No
  • OU No
  • % White
  • Henderson State University 66%
  • OU 61%
  • % Asian
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • OU 1%
  • % Black
  • Henderson State University 24%
  • OU 13%
  • % Hispanic
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • OU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • OU 5%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • OU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • OU 3%
  • % International
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • OU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • OU 14%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Henderson State University 74%
  • OU 23%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Henderson State University 23%
  • OU 71%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Henderson State University Yes
  • OU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Henderson State University No
  • OU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Henderson State University Yes
  • OU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Henderson State University No
  • OU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Henderson State University No
  • OU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR with Ottawa University Ottawa in Ottawa, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Henderson State University is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (2,055 students vs. 999 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Ottawa University Ottawa is in Ottawa, KS (Distant Town setting).
  • Henderson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ottawa University Ottawa is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Henderson State University 14:1; Ottawa University Ottawa 12:1.

Henderson State University vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University or OU? 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 Henderson State University than OU ($20,444 vs. $28,185).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Henderson State University are 26.7% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($10,000 vs. $13,646).
  • Ottawa University Ottawa is 335.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Henderson State University (about $27,636 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $8,244.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 237.9% higher at OU than at Henderson State University (about $25,260 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $10,620.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than at Henderson State University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 201.2% larger than aid received by Henderson State University students ($23,692 vs. $7,867).

Henderson State University vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University or OU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OU and Henderson State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Henderson State University (990) is 110 points higher than at OU (880).
  • Incoming OU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Henderson State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 903/1073; Ottawa University Ottawa 750/1000.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 16/21; Ottawa University Ottawa 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Henderson State University - Not reported; OU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Henderson State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at OU (3.12).

Henderson State University vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Henderson State University and OU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Ottawa University Ottawa's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Henderson State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Henderson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have a $2,375 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,875).
  • Among borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($201 vs. $226).
  • More Henderson State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 46%)

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.