Harding University vs. OBU

Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Harding University
Ouachita Baptist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: OBU (67.5% admitted vs 70.5%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harding University. Average net price is $22,806 vs $24,532 at OBU.
  • Graduation: Harding University 63% vs OBU 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harding University $44,800 vs OBU $43,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Harding University Ouachita Baptist University
Acceptance rate
OBU more selective
Harding University70.5%
OBU67.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harding University higher
Harding University1050-1290
OBU1070-1280
Average net price
Harding University $1,726 less
Harding University$22,806
OBU$24,532
In-state tuition
Harding University $8,238 less
Harding University$26,262
OBU$34,500
Out-of-state tuition
Harding University $8,238 less
Harding University$26,262
OBU$34,500
Graduation rate
Harding University +0 pts
Harding University63%
OBU63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harding University +$1,400
Harding University$44,800
OBU$43,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Harding University and OBU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Harding University Check my chances at OBU
  • Applied
  • Harding University 2,714
  • OBU 2,155
  • Admitted
  • Harding University 1,914
  • OBU 1,455
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harding University 70.5%
  • OBU 67.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harding University 44.6%
  • OBU 28.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harding University 1170
  • OBU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harding University 24
  • OBU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harding University 3.71
  • OBU 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harding University A-
  • OBU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Harding University Challenging
  • OBU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Harding University Low
  • OBU Low
  • SAT range
  • Harding University 1050-1290
  • OBU 1070-1280
  • ACT range
  • Harding University 20-29
  • OBU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Harding University Required
  • OBU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harding University
  • OBU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harding University $26,262
  • OBU $34,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harding University $26,262
  • OBU $34,500
  • Room & board
  • Harding University $9,060
  • OBU $9,720
  • Average net price
  • Harding University $22,806
  • OBU $24,532
  • Average grant aid
  • Harding University $16,763
  • OBU $22,830
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harding University 98%
  • OBU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harding University 63%
  • OBU 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harding University $44,800
  • OBU $43,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harding University 71%
  • OBU 71%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harding University $27,000
  • OBU $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Harding University $279
  • OBU $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harding University 13:1
  • OBU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harding University
    • Business (19%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • OBU
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (20%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Harding University Searcy, AR
  • OBU Arkadelphia, AR
  • Setting
  • Harding University Distant Town
  • OBU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Harding University 4,696
  • OBU 1,858
  • Type
  • Harding University Private 4 Year
  • OBU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harding University #470
  • OBU #485

Comparable Facts

Compare Harding University in Searcy, AR with Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Harding University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (4,696 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harding University is located in Searcy, AR (Distant Town setting); Ouachita Baptist University is in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting).
  • Harding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harding University 13:1; Ouachita Baptist University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harding University are 6.8% lower than at Ouachita Baptist University ($9,060 vs. $9,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at OBU than at Harding University (about $8,238 more per year; $34,500 vs. $26,262).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Harding University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 36.2% larger than aid received by Harding University students ($22,830 vs. $16,763).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at OBU than at Harding University (25 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harding University, test optional at OBU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at OBU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Harding University (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.6% at Harding University vs. 28.9% at OBU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Harding University graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harding University graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harding University students, three years after graduation (71% vs. 71%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Harding University
Ouachita Baptist University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges