OBU vs. OU

Ouachita Baptist University and University of Oklahoma Norman Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Ouachita Baptist University
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: OBU (67.5% admitted vs 76.6%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: OU. Average net price is $18,574 vs $24,532 at OBU.
  • Graduation: OBU 63% vs OU 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: OBU $43,400 vs OU $59,300 (median).
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Key differences

Ouachita Baptist University University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Acceptance rate
OBU more selective
OBU67.5%
OU76.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
OU higher
OBU1070-1280
OU1140-1330
Average net price
OU $5,958 less
OBU$24,532
OU$18,574
In-state tuition
OU $24,703 less
OBU$34,500
OU$9,797
Out-of-state tuition
OU $7,123 less
OBU$34,500
OU$27,377
Graduation rate
OU +4 pts
OBU63%
OU67%
Median earnings (10 years)
OU +$15,900
OBU$43,400
OU$59,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • OBU 2,155
  • OU 24,893
  • Admitted
  • OBU 1,455
  • OU 19,069
  • Acceptance rate
  • OBU 67.5%
  • OU 76.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • OBU 28.9%
  • OU 29.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • OBU 1180
  • OU 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • OBU 25
  • OU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • OBU 3.72
  • OU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • OBU A-
  • OU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • OBU Challenging
  • OU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • OBU Low
  • OU
  • SAT range
  • OBU 1070-1280
  • OU 1140-1330
  • ACT range
  • OBU 22-28
  • OU 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • OBU Test optional
  • OU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • OBU
  • OU Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • OBU $34,500
  • OU $9,797
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • OBU $34,500
  • OU $27,377
  • Room & board
  • OBU $9,720
  • OU $13,630
  • Average net price
  • OBU $24,532
  • OU $18,574
  • Average grant aid
  • OBU $22,830
  • OU $11,356
  • % receiving grant aid
  • OBU 100%
  • OU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • OBU 63%
  • OU 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • OBU $43,400
  • OU $59,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • OBU 71%
  • OU 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • OBU $22,500
  • OU $20,000
  • Median loan payment
  • OBU $232
  • OU $206
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • OBU 14:1
  • OU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • OBU
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (20%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • OU
    • Business (20%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • OBU Arkadelphia, AR
  • OU Norman, OK
  • Setting
  • OBU Distant Town
  • OU Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • OBU 1,858
  • OU 30,851
  • Type
  • OBU Private 4 Year
  • OU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • OBU #485
  • OU #245

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (30,851 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
  • Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 28.7% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($9,720 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26% higher at OBU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $7,123 more per year; $34,500 vs. $27,377).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 101% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($22,830 vs. $11,356).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at OU than at OBU (26 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both OBU and OU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at OBU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at OU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 29.3% at OU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than OBU graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OBU graduates ($206 vs. $232).
  • More OBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (71% vs. 68%).

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

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