OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Should I go to Ouachita Baptist University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if OBU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Ouachita Baptist University vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus comparison
Ouachita Baptist University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Ouachita Baptist University Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Location Arkadelphia, AR Magnolia, AR
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,815 5,127
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #461 #885
Religious Affiliation Southern Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website obu.edu saumag.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Tuition (In State) $31,780 $7,200
Tuition (Out of State) $31,780 $12,780
Room & Board $9,240 $7,601
Avg Net Price $22,087 $14,164
Avg Grant Aid $23,073 $9,826
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,138 2,936
Admitted 1,465 1,955
Acceptance Rate 68.5% 66.6%
Enrolled % 32% 40.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.46
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 21/28 17/23
SAT Range 1060/1290 920/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2026

Academics

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (20%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Graduation Rate 63% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,400 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $17,020
Median Loan Payment $232 $175

Diversity

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% Men 1% 17%
% Women 4% 21%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 85% 63%
% Black 7% 28%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
% In-State 61% 69%
% Out-of-State 38% 31%

Campus

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than than OBU based on total student enrollment (5,127 students vs. 1,815 students)

OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

  • Ouachita Baptist University is 341.4% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($31,780.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 148.7% higher at OBU than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($31,780.00 vs. $12,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than OBU ($14,164 vs. $22,087)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 21.6% lower than costs at Ouachita Baptist University ($7,601 vs. $9,240)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 134.8% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($23,073 vs. $9,826)

OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or OBU .

  • The average SAT score at Ouachita Baptist University (1120) is 132 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming OBU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
  • OBU has a higher acceptance rate (68.5%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (66.6%)

OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, OBU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and OBU.

  • The graduation rate at OBU is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn on average $5,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $5,480 lower median federal student loan debt than OBU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $22,500)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than OBU graduates. ($175 vs. $232)
  • More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/