Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Arkadelphia, Arkansas |
| Online | obu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Southern Baptist |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU), located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, is a private, liberal arts institution with a history that extends back to its founding in 1886. Approximately 65 miles southwest of Little Rock, OBU occupies a campus characterized by its noteworthy blend of historic and modern architecture. The university emphasizes a residential experience with a variety of on-campus housing options for students. Academically, Ouachita Baptist is comprised of eight schools offering a range of undergraduate programs with particularly strong emphases in Natural Sciences, Business, and Christian Studies. The institution's application process is moderately selective. While OBU is not primarily recognized for its athletic programs, it competes in NCAA Division II sports as the Ouachita Tigers within the Great American Conference.
In the most recent statistical year 2,063 prospective students applied, and 1,492 were granted admission. Of those admitted 445 enrolled in the school. 1,608 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 176 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $30,500 plus fees of $680. OBU is ranked 474 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
OBU is rated within the top 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Ouachita Baptist University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#474 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#330 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Colleges in Arkansas
#3 in Best Private Colleges in Arkansas
#265 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in Arkansas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1020/1200 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| GPA | 3.72 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Other Fees | $680 |
| Room and Board | $8,800 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,250 |
| Total One Year Cost | $45,330 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Theology and Religious Vvocations | 20% |
| Business | 15% |
| Education | 9% |
| Biology | 8% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering OBU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=107512 IPEDS survey data for Ouachita Baptist University.
Current students may use the Ouachita Baptist University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.