OBU vs. LSU

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

Ouachita Baptist University
Louisiana State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: OBU (67.5% admitted vs 73.3%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: LSU. Average net price is $21,430 vs $24,532 at OBU.
  • Graduation: OBU 63% vs LSU 60%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: OBU $43,400 vs LSU $56,900 (median).
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Key differences

Ouachita Baptist University Louisiana State University
Acceptance rate
OBU more selective
OBU67.5%
LSU73.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
LSU higher
OBU1070-1280
LSU1180-1340
Average net price
LSU $3,102 less
OBU$24,532
LSU$21,430
In-state tuition
LSU $22,546 less
OBU$34,500
LSU$11,954
Out-of-state tuition
LSU $5,869 less
OBU$34,500
LSU$28,631
Graduation rate
OBU +3 pts
OBU63%
LSU60%
Median earnings (10 years)
LSU +$13,500
OBU$43,400
LSU$56,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • OBU 2,155
  • LSU 47,065
  • Admitted
  • OBU 1,455
  • LSU 34,513
  • Acceptance rate
  • OBU 67.5%
  • LSU 73.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • OBU 28.9%
  • LSU 23%
  • Typical SAT score
  • OBU 1180
  • LSU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • OBU 25
  • LSU 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • OBU 3.72
  • LSU 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • OBU A-
  • LSU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • OBU Challenging
  • LSU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • OBU Low
  • LSU Low
  • SAT range
  • OBU 1070-1280
  • LSU 1180-1340
  • ACT range
  • OBU 22-28
  • LSU 24-30
  • Submit test scores
  • OBU Test optional
  • LSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • OBU
  • LSU Jul 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • OBU $34,500
  • LSU $11,954
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • OBU $34,500
  • LSU $28,631
  • Room & board
  • OBU $9,720
  • LSU $15,142
  • Average net price
  • OBU $24,532
  • LSU $21,430
  • Average grant aid
  • OBU $22,830
  • LSU $14,094
  • % receiving grant aid
  • OBU 100%
  • LSU 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • OBU 63%
  • LSU 60%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • OBU $43,400
  • LSU $56,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • OBU 71%
  • LSU 67%
  • Median student loan debt
  • OBU $22,500
  • LSU $20,900
  • Median loan payment
  • OBU $232
  • LSU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • OBU 14:1
  • LSU 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • OBU
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (20%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • LSU
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • OBU Arkadelphia, AR
  • LSU Baton Rouge, LA
  • Setting
  • OBU Distant Town
  • LSU Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • OBU 1,858
  • LSU 41,705
  • Type
  • OBU Private 4 Year
  • LSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • OBU #485
  • LSU #350

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Louisiana State University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 35.8% lower than at Louisiana State University ($9,720 vs. $15,142).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at OBU than at Louisiana State University (about $5,869 more per year; $34,500 vs. $28,631).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at Louisiana State University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 62% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University students ($22,830 vs. $14,094).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at LSU than at OBU (27 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both OBU and LSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at LSU average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at OBU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 23% at LSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $1,600 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($20,900 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($216 vs. $232).
  • More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation (71% vs. 67%).

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

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