Samford University vs. OBU

Should I go to Samford University or Ouachita Baptist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Samford University or OBU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Samford University vs. Ouachita Baptist University comparison
Samford University Ouachita Baptist University College 3 College 4
Samford University Ouachita Baptist University
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Overview

Samford University OBU
Location Birmingham, AL Arkadelphia, AR
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 5,682 1,784
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #474
Religious Affiliation Baptist Southern Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu obu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University OBU
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $30,500
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $30,500
Room & Board $11,264 $8,800
Avg Net Price $31,803 $21,677
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $22,181
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Samford University OBU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 2,063
Admitted 3,611 1,492
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 72.3%
Enrolled % 27% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 21/28
SAT Range 1080/1270 1020/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Samford University OBU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (20%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Samford University OBU
Graduation Rate 70% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $232

Diversity

Samford University OBU
% Men 32% 41%
% Women 68% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 85%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Samford University OBU
% In-State 25% 63%
% Out-of-State 74% 35%

Campus

Samford University OBU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than OBU based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 1,784 students)

Samford University vs. OBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or OBU?

  • Samford University is 17.2% more expensive to attend than OBU for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $30,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.2% higher at Samford University than Ouachita Baptist University ($35,750.00 vs. $30,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ouachita Baptist University than Samford University ($21,677 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 28% lower than costs at Samford University ($8,800 vs. $11,264)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than Samford University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 7.1% larger than aid received Samford University ($22,181 vs. $20,711)

Samford University vs. OBU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or OBU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between OBU or Samford University .

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 42 points higher than at OBU (1120)
  • Incoming Samford University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at OBU (25)
  • Accepted 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 (83.3%) than OBU (72.3%)

Samford University vs. OBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or OBU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between OBU and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Ouachita Baptist University (70% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $14,000 more per year than OBU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $43,400)
  • Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($22,500 vs. $22,500)
  • Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($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/