OBU vs. MC

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Mississippi College in Clinton, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi College is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (4,164 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Mississippi College is in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Mississippi College 14:1.

OBU vs. MC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or MC? 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 MC ($24,532 vs. $28,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 39.7% lower than at Mississippi College ($9,720 vs. $16,120).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 46.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MC (about $11,000 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.8% higher at OBU than at Mississippi College (about $11,000 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as at Mississippi College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 80.1% larger than aid received by Mississippi College students ($22,830 vs. $12,676).

OBU vs. MC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 20 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming OBU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at MC (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Mississippi College 1140/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Mississippi College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; MC - Required.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at MC (3.56).
• OBU has a higher acceptance rate (67.5%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 91% at MC.

OBU vs. MC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and MC? 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 Mississippi College's (51%).
• Graduates from Mississippi College earn a median of about $700 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than MC graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MC graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MC students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

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.