University of Central Arkansas vs. OBU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Arkansas is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 1,858 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Ouachita Baptist University is in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting).
• University of Central 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 Central Arkansas 15:1; Ouachita Baptist University 14:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. OBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central 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 Central Arkansas than OBU ($16,546 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 6.3% lower than at Ouachita Baptist University ($9,110 vs. $9,720).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 227.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Central Arkansas (about $23,977 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $10,523.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.4% higher at OBU than at University of Central Arkansas (about $16,477 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $18,023.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Central Arkansas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 156.5% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($22,830 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. OBU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central 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 University of Central Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 140 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1040).
• Incoming OBU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at University of Central Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Ouachita Baptist University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; OBU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of Central Arkansas (3.7).
• University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 28.9% at OBU.

University of Central Arkansas vs. OBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central 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 Central Arkansas's (40%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than University of Central Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $1,085 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($21,415 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($221 vs. $232).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Central Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)

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.