Ouachita Baptist University (OBU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Arkadelphia, AR that costs an average of $25,343 a year after financial aid, admits 68% of applicants and graduates 66% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$25,343
Acceptance rate
68%
Graduation rate
66%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$52,333
Private nonprofitTown (distant)1,602 undergraduates
Cost of OBU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $50,212 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $35,740 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $10,200 |
| Books and supplies | $1,100 |
| Average net price after aid | $25,343 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $17,472 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $17,503 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $22,356 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $27,151 |
| $110,001+ | $28,824 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with OBU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 68% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,211 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 540–650 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 530–630 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 22–28 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 66% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 83% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $42,586 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $52,333 |
| Rank in Arkansas (earnings) | 6th of 22 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $19,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $222 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 29% |
| Students with federal loans | 47% |
Majors and programs at OBU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (54)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | $61,780 | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 53 | $60,608 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 49 | $43,221 | $24,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 53 | $40,052 | $18,875 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 22 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 3 | — | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 9 | — | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 19 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | — | — | — |
| Biology | 85 | — | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 29 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 7 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 17 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 5 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4 | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | — | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 14 | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 12 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 20 | — | — |
| Education | 8 | — | — |
| Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering Physics | 9 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 15 | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 16 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 6 | — | — |
| History | 13 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 20 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 11 | — | — |
| Marketing | 13 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 1 | — | — |
| Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 8 | — | — |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | 7 | — | — |
| Music | 10 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 4 | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | — | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | — | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 10 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 4 | — | — |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Physics | 1 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 22 | — | — |
| Psychology | 40 | — | $24,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 47 | — | $20,000 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 25 | — | — |
| Religious Music and Worship | 3 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 10 | — | — |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1 | — | — |
| Sociology | 13 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 50 | — | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 19 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | — | — |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 2 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 1 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (6)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 50 | $62,678 | $27,334 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 18 | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 10 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | — | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 19 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Arkansas
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs | $22,476 | 76% | $58,769 |
| Hendrix College | Conway | $23,177 | 56% | $59,310 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville | $17,192 | 60% | $44,113 |
| Harding University | Searcy | $19,786 | 71% | $56,146 |
| Philander Smith University | Little Rock | $22,153 | — | $40,195 |
| Lyon College | Batesville | $14,400 | 63% | $49,833 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway | $20,276 | 63% | $49,734 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge | $17,814 | 83% | $47,042 |
About OBU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Arkadelphia, AR |
| Setting | Town (distant) |
| Undergraduates | 1,602 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 14 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | obu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is OBU's acceptance rate?
Ouachita Baptist University admits 68% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,211 on the SAT.
How much does OBU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $50,212 a year (tuition and fees: $35,740). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $25,343 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $17,472.
How much do OBU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $52,333 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 6th of 22 similar colleges in Arkansas. The best-paid bachelor's program is clinical, counseling and applied psychology ($61,780 a year after graduation).
What is OBU's graduation rate?
66% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 83% of first-year students return for a second year.