OBU vs. Harding University

Comparable Facts

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

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

OBU vs. Harding University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Harding University? 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 Harding University than OBU ($22,806 vs. $24,532).
• 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).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 31.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harding University (about $8,238 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $26,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at OBU than at Harding University (about $8,238 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $26,262.00).
• 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).

OBU vs. Harding University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or Harding University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Harding University and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 10 points higher than at Harding University (1170).
• Incoming OBU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Harding University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Harding University 1050/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Harding University 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; Harding University - Required.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Harding University (3.71).
• Harding University has a higher acceptance rate (70.5%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 44.6% at Harding University.

OBU vs. Harding University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and Harding University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at OBU is the same as at Harding University (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Harding University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.