OBU vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Ouachita Baptist University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,858 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Rust College 10:1.

OBU vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Rust College? 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 Rust College than OBU ($12,037 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 36% lower than at Ouachita Baptist University ($6,217 vs. $9,720).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 160.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $21,235 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.1% higher at OBU than at Rust College (about $21,235 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 107.7% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($22,830 vs. $10,993).

OBU vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 290 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming OBU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 1.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• OBU has a higher acceptance rate (67.5%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

OBU vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and Rust College? 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 Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $5,337 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($232 vs. $287).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 21%)

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.