OBU vs. UH

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with University of Houston in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of Houston 22:1.

OBU vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or UH? 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 University of Houston than OBU ($14,309 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 13.9% lower than at University of Houston ($9,720 vs. $11,286).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 255% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $24,783 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at OBU than at University of Houston (about $11,953 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Houston (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 87.8% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($22,830 vs. $12,159).

OBU vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 70 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming UH students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 25 at OBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 26.5% at UH.

OBU vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($204 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

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.