OBU vs. William Carey University

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Carey University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (5,321 students vs. 1,858 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); William Carey University is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Carey University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; William Carey University 14:1.

OBU vs. William Carey University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or William Carey University? 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 William Carey University than OBU ($15,469 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Carey University are 16.7% lower than at Ouachita Baptist University ($8,094 vs. $9,720).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 122.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Carey University (about $19,020 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $15,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.9% higher at OBU than at William Carey University (about $19,020 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $15,480.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as at William Carey University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 56.1% larger than aid received by William Carey University students ($22,830 vs. $14,621).

OBU vs. William Carey University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or William Carey University? 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 William Carey University and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 10 points higher than at William Carey University (1170).
• Incoming OBU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at William Carey University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; William Carey University 1040/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; William Carey University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; William Carey University - Required.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at William Carey University (3.46).
• OBU has a higher acceptance rate (67.5%) than William Carey University (60.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 48.3% at William Carey University.

OBU vs. William Carey University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and William Carey University? 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 William Carey University's (51%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than William Carey University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Carey University graduates have a $2,308 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($20,192 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, William Carey University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($208 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Carey University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 47%)

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.