OBU vs. Mount St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Mount St. Mary's University is in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Mount St. Mary's University 13:1.

OBU vs. Mount St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University than OBU ($23,027 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 35.4% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($9,720 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than OBU (about $14,130 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $14,130 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as at Mount St. Mary's University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 77.9% larger than aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students ($40,619 vs. $22,830).

OBU vs. Mount St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 20 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming OBU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Mount St. Mary's University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• Mount St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (73.8%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University.

OBU vs. Mount St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and Mount St. Mary's University? 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.

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Ouachita Baptist University's (63%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($232 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OBU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.