Samford University vs. OBU

Comparable Facts

Compare Samford University in Birmingham, AL with Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Samford University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (6,097 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL (Large Suburban setting); Ouachita Baptist University is in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting).
• Samford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Samford University 14:1; Ouachita Baptist University 14:1.

Samford University vs. OBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or OBU? 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 Ouachita Baptist University than Samford University ($24,532 vs. $34,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 25.6% lower than at Samford University ($9,720 vs. $13,056).
• Samford University is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than OBU (about $5,650 more per year; $40,150.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Samford University than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $5,650 more per year; $40,150.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Samford University as at Ouachita Baptist University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Samford University students ($22,830 vs. $22,530).

Samford University vs. OBU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or OBU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OBU and Samford University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 20 points higher than at Samford University (1160).
• Incoming Samford University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at OBU (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Samford University 1070/1250; Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Samford University 22/28; Ouachita Baptist University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Samford University - Test optional; OBU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Samford University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at OBU (3.72).
• Samford University has a higher acceptance rate (82.4%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford University vs. 28.9% at OBU.

Samford University vs. OBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Samford University and OBU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Samford University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Ouachita Baptist University's (63%).
• Graduates from Samford University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University graduates have the same median loan debt ($22,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($232 vs. $232).
• More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OBU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

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.