OBU vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (30,851 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

OBU vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or OU? 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus than OBU ($18,574 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 28.7% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($9,720 vs. $13,630).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 252.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $24,703 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26% higher at OBU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $7,123 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 101% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($22,830 vs. $11,356).

OBU vs. OU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1240) is 60 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming OU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at OBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at OU (3.66).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 29.3% at OU.

OBU vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and OU? 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).

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Ouachita Baptist University's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($206 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 68%)

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.