OBU vs. UMHB

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary Hardin Baylor is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (3,321 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); University of Mary Hardin Baylor is in Belton, TX (Small Suburban setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Hardin Baylor is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 17:1.

OBU vs. UMHB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or UMHB? 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 Ouachita Baptist University than UMHB ($24,532 vs. $27,651).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 26.5% lower than at University of Mary Hardin Baylor ($9,720 vs. $13,224).
• Ouachita Baptist University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMHB (about $2,480 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $32,020.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at OBU than at University of Mary Hardin Baylor (about $2,480 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $32,020.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Mary Hardin Baylor (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 18.2% larger than aid received by University of Mary Hardin Baylor students ($22,830 vs. $19,320).

OBU vs. UMHB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OBU or UMHB? 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 UMHB and OBU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ouachita Baptist University (1180) is 100 points higher than at UMHB (1080).
• Incoming OBU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UMHB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; UMHB - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman OBU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UMHB (3.53).
• UMHB has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 5.5% at UMHB.

OBU vs. UMHB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and UMHB? 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.

• Ouachita Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Mary Hardin Baylor's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than OBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than UMHB graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,750).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMHB graduates ($232 vs. $276).
• More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMHB students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 60%)

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.