OBU vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

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

Ouachita Baptist University is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (1,858 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

OBU vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than OBU ($8,070 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 11.2% lower than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($9,720 vs. $10,940).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 283.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USAO (about $25,500 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $9,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.9% higher at OBU than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (about $14,310 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $20,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 74.7% larger than aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students ($22,830 vs. $13,068).

OBU vs. USAO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 10 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming OBU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at USAO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at USAO (3.43).
• OBU has a higher acceptance rate (67.5%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 35.7% at USAO.

OBU vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma's (39%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 54%)

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.