OBU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (31,543 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 Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

OBU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia than OBU ($22,169 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 29.1% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($9,720 vs. $13,700).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 132.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $19,663 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $1,556 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Missouri Columbia (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 72.9% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($22,830 vs. $13,203).

OBU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri-Columbia and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 60 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

OBU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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.

• University of Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Ouachita Baptist University's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $617 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($21,883 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($226 vs. $232).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia 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.