O
#3 Best Value Colleges in Arkansas

OBU Admission Requirements

Arkadelphia, Arkansas

 0 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Ouachita Baptist University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

72.3%
Admission Difficulty for Ouachita Baptist University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at OBU is 72.3%.  Its admission rate is the 14th lowest in Arkansas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into OBU and can you get accepted?

OBU is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 1,492 out of the 2,063 who applied were admitted.

Ouachita Baptist University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.72. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into OBU?

72% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Ouachita Baptist University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.72 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1110 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

OBU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.72

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Ouachita Baptist University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into OBU are to have around a 3.72 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as OBU accepts 72% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at OBU is 3.72 on the 4.0 scale. 38% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #4 in Arkansas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since OBU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Ouachita Baptist University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 38.3% Good
3.75 to 3.99 25.26% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 13.66% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 9.32% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.45% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 5.18% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.83% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

OBU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Ouachita Baptist University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 11% of students submitted SAT scores and 78% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1020-1200

Applicants Submitting SAT 

11%
SAT Scores for Ouachita Baptist University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 1020
SAT Scores for Ouachita Baptist University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 590
Composite 75th Percentile 1200
Average SAT Score 1110

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Ouachita Baptist University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at OBU is 1110 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1020-1200. Students who get into Ouachita Baptist University score in the top 57 percent of all SAT test takers..  OBU ranks #6 in the state of Arkansas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1110 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. OBU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1020, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 930, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Ouachita Baptist University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1110 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1110, you have around a 72% chance of being admitted. A 1200 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 83% chance of getting in.

Ouachita Baptist University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1200 and Above Good >83%
1110 to 1200 Avg + 72%-83%
1020 to 1110 Avg - 58%-72%
930 to 1020 Reach 42%-58%
Less than 930 Low <42%
Calculate My Chances 

OBU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

78%
ACT Scores for Ouachita Baptist University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Ouachita Baptist University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into OBU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to OBU is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #5 in Arkansas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 78 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Ouachita Baptist University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Ouachita Baptist University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into OBU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 72% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 84% with a 28 ACT score.

Ouachita Baptist University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >84%
24 to 28 Avg + 72%-84%
21 to 24 Avg - 60%-72%
18 to 21 Reach 46%-60%
Less than 18 Low <46%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

59% of Ouachita Baptist University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 31% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Ouachita Baptist University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 31%
Top 25% of class 59%
Top 50% of class 84%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Ouachita Baptist University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,201 862 2,063
Accepted 916 576 1,492
Acceptance Rate 76% 67% 72%
Enrolled 263 182 445
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 29% 32% 30%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Ouachita Baptist University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Ouachita Baptist University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Ouachita Baptist University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Ouachita Baptist University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because OBU is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.72 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1110 on the SAT and 24 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Ouachita Baptist University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=107512 IPEDS survey data for Ouachita Baptist University.

FAQs

Does Ouachita Baptist University prefer SAT or ACT?

11% of students submit their SAT scores to OBU. 78% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Ouachita Baptist University?

72% of those who apply are granted admission to OBU. Admission competition is low and the college has average admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Ouachita Baptist University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1020 and 1200. The average SAT score is 1110. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Ouachita Baptist University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 21 and 28. The average ACT score is 24. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.