OBU vs. North Central College

Should I go to Ouachita Baptist University or North Central College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if OBU or North Central College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Ouachita Baptist University vs. North Central College comparison
Ouachita Baptist University North Central College College 3 College 4
Ouachita Baptist University North Central College
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Overview

OBU North Central College
Location Arkadelphia, AR Naperville, IL
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,815 2,856
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #461 #349
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website obu.edu northcentralcollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

OBU North Central College
Tuition (In State) $31,780 $44,114
Tuition (Out of State) $31,780 $44,114
Room & Board $9,240 $12,434
Avg Net Price $22,087 $24,190
Avg Grant Aid $23,073 $30,619
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

OBU North Central College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,138 5,241
Admitted 1,465 3,056
Acceptance Rate 68.5% 58.3%
Enrolled % 32% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 21/28 23/27
SAT Range 1060/1290 1065/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 15, 2026

Academics

OBU North Central College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (20%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

OBU North Central College
Graduation Rate 63% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,400 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $258

Diversity

OBU North Central College
% Men 1% 4%
% Women 4% 12%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 71%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

OBU North Central College
% In-State 61% 79%
% Out-of-State 38% 18%

Campus

OBU North Central College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Central College is larger than than OBU based on total student enrollment (2,856 students vs. 1,815 students)

OBU vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or North Central College?

  • North Central College is 38.8% more expensive to attend than OBU for in-state tuition ($44,114.00 vs. $31,780.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.8% higher at North Central College than Ouachita Baptist University ($44,114.00 vs. $31,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ouachita Baptist University than North Central College ($22,087 vs. $24,190)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 34.6% lower than costs at North Central College ($9,240 vs. $12,434)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as North Central College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 32.7% larger than aid received Ouachita Baptist University ($30,619 vs. $23,073)

OBU vs. North Central College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or North Central College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between North Central College or OBU .

  • The average SAT score at North Central College (1125) is 5 points higher than at OBU (1120)
  • Incoming OBU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at North Central College (25)
  • Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at North Central College (3.6)
  • OBU has a higher acceptance rate (68.5%) than North Central College (58.3%)

OBU vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, OBU or North Central College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between North Central College and OBU.

  • The graduation rate at North Central College is higher than Ouachita Baptist University (64% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from North Central College earn on average $5,500 more per year than OBU graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $43,400)
  • Ouachita Baptist University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than North Central College graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,000)
  • OBU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than North Central College graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More North Central 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/