OBU vs. C of I

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ouachita Baptist University is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (1,858 students vs. 1,090 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); The College of Idaho is in Caldwell, ID (Small Suburban setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; The College of Idaho 10:1.

OBU vs. C of I Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or C of I? 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 The College of Idaho than OBU ($21,686 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 23.9% lower than at The College of Idaho ($9,720 vs. $12,773).
• The College of Idaho is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than OBU (about $3,345 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at C of I than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $3,345 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as at The College of Idaho (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Idaho students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students ($29,110 vs. $22,830).

OBU vs. C of I Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or C of I? 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 C of I and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is the same as at C of I (1180).
• Incoming C of I students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at OBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; The College of Idaho 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; The College of Idaho 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; C of I - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027.
• OBU has a higher acceptance rate (67.5%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 14.7% at C of I.

OBU vs. C of I Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and C of I? 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.

• The graduation rate at OBU is the same as at The College of Idaho (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from The College of Idaho earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $3,495 lower median loan debt than C of I graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,995).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than C of I graduates ($232 vs. $268).
• More C of I graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OBU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

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.