OBU vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Ripon College in Ripon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ouachita Baptist University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (1,858 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Ripon College 12:1.

OBU vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College than OBU ($23,772 vs. $24,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 10% lower than at Ripon College ($9,720 vs. $10,800).
• Ripon College is 50.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than OBU (about $17,400 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at Ripon College than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $17,400 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 74% larger than aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students ($39,716 vs. $22,830).

OBU vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or Ripon College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ripon College and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 50 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming OBU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

OBU vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and Ripon College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Ouachita Baptist University's (63%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($22,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($232 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OBU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.