OBU vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi State University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 1,858 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

OBU vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State University than OBU ($18,478 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 24.7% lower than at Mississippi State University ($9,720 vs. $12,902).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 238.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $24,298 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at OBU than at Mississippi State University (about $6,863 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Mississippi State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 64.8% larger than aid received by Mississippi State University students ($22,830 vs. $13,852).

OBU vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 50 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming OBU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Mississippi State (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

OBU vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and Mississippi State? 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).

• Ouachita Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($232 vs. $240).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)

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.