OBU vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ouachita Baptist University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,858 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Cornell College 14:1.

OBU vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Cornell College? 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 Ouachita Baptist University than Cornell College ($24,532 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 18% lower than at Cornell College ($9,720 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than OBU (about $18,160 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at Cornell College than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $18,160 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as at Cornell College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 80% larger than aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students ($41,092 vs. $22,830).

OBU vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or Cornell College? 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 Cornell College and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 20 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at OBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

OBU vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and Cornell College? 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Ouachita Baptist University's (63%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OBU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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.