OBU vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Wichita State University in Wichita, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wichita State University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 1,858 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Wichita State University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Wichita State University 19:1.

OBU vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or WSU? 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 Wichita State University than OBU ($14,228 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 21.7% lower than at Wichita State University ($9,720 vs. $12,420).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 256.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $24,816 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.6% higher at OBU than at Wichita State University (about $14,631 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Wichita State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 181% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($22,830 vs. $8,125).

OBU vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 110 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming OBU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Wichita State University 905/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Wichita State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WSU (3.48).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 20.1% at WSU.

OBU vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and WSU? 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 Wichita State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Wichita State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wichita State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($211 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU 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.