OBU vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (15,665 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 Louisiana at Lafayette is in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1.

OBU vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or UL Lafayette? 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 Louisiana at Lafayette than OBU ($13,017 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 19.7% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($9,720 vs. $12,108).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 231.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $24,082 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.9% higher at OBU than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $10,354 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 94.1% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($22,830 vs. $11,762).

OBU vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or UL Lafayette? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UL Lafayette and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is the same as at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming OBU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at UL Lafayette (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

OBU vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and UL Lafayette? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ouachita Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 55%)

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.