OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (4,732 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1.

OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than OBU ($13,442 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 18.6% lower than at Ouachita Baptist University ($7,911 vs. $9,720).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 246.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $24,540 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $9,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.9% higher at OBU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $18,810 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 97.6% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($22,830 vs. $11,552).

OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 190 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming OBU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
• Enrolled 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).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

OBU vs. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus? 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.

• Ouachita Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $5,480 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($17,020 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.