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.

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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
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Overview

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Location Arkadelphia, AR Magnolia, AR
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,784 5,094
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #474 #868
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) $30,500 $7,020
Tuition (Out of State) $30,500 $12,450
Room & Board $8,800 $7,809
Avg Net Price $21,677 $14,056
Avg Grant Aid $22,181 $9,316
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,063 2,916
Admitted 1,492 1,855
Acceptance Rate 72.3% 63.6%
Enrolled % 29.8% 38.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.46
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 21/28 17/24
SAT Range 1020/1200 905/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

OBU Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
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 41% 45%
% Women 59% 55%
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 63% 70%
% Out-of-State 35% 29%

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 (5,094 students vs. 1,784 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 334.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($30,500.00 vs. $7,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 145% higher at OBU than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($30,500.00 vs. $12,450.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than OBU ($14,056 vs. $21,677)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 12.7% lower than costs at Ouachita Baptist University ($7,809 vs. $8,800)
  • 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 138.1% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($22,181 vs. $9,316)

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 (72.3%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)

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/