OBU vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Thomas is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (4,301 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 St Thomas is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of St Thomas 16:1.

OBU vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas than OBU ($20,599 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 10.3% lower than at University of St Thomas ($9,720 vs. $10,840).
• University of St Thomas is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than OBU (about $134 more per year; $34,634.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at University of St Thomas than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $134 more per year; $34,634.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 9.1% larger than aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students ($24,902 vs. $22,830).

OBU vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 80 points higher than at University of St Thomas (1100).
• Incoming OBU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; University of St Thomas 980/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; University of St Thomas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of St Thomas (3.53).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 29.7% at University of St Thomas.

OBU vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's (44%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($227 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

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.