OBU vs. LSUA

Comparable Facts

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

Louisiana State University Alexandria is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (6,815 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Louisiana State University Alexandria is in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1.

OBU vs. LSUA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or LSUA? 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 Louisiana State University Alexandria than OBU ($8,296 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 1.3% lower than at Ouachita Baptist University ($9,598 vs. $9,720).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 389.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $27,450 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.5% higher at OBU than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $19,850 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 201.9% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($22,830 vs. $7,561).

OBU vs. LSUA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 80 points higher than at LSUA (1100).
• Incoming OBU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; LSUA - Required.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 66.6% at LSUA.

OBU vs. LSUA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and LSUA? 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 Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $4,793 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($17,707 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, LSUA 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 LSUA students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.