Arkansas vs. OBU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 1,858 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Ouachita Baptist University is in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; Ouachita Baptist University 14:1.

Arkansas vs. OBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas than OBU ($18,408 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 31.8% lower than at University of Arkansas ($9,720 vs. $14,244).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 241.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $24,396 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at OBU than at University of Arkansas (about $4,534 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $29,966.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Arkansas (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 159.3% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($22,830 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. OBU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 50 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming OBU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Ouachita Baptist University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; OBU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at OBU (3.72).
• Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 28.9% at OBU.

Arkansas vs. OBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas and OBU? 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 Arkansas's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.