Samford University vs. OBU

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

Samford University
Ouachita Baptist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: OBU (67.5% admitted vs 82.4%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: OBU. Average net price is $24,532 vs $34,926 at Samford University.
  • Graduation: Samford University 70% vs OBU 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Samford University $57,400 vs OBU $43,400 (median).
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Key differences

Samford University Ouachita Baptist University
Acceptance rate
OBU more selective
Samford University82.4%
OBU67.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
OBU higher
Samford University1070-1250
OBU1070-1280
Average net price
OBU $10,394 less
Samford University$34,926
OBU$24,532
In-state tuition
OBU $5,650 less
Samford University$40,150
OBU$34,500
Out-of-state tuition
OBU $5,650 less
Samford University$40,150
OBU$34,500
Graduation rate
Samford University +7 pts
Samford University70%
OBU63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Samford University +$14,000
Samford University$57,400
OBU$43,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Samford University 4,559
  • OBU 2,155
  • Admitted
  • Samford University 3,755
  • OBU 1,455
  • Acceptance rate
  • Samford University 82.4%
  • OBU 67.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Samford University 28.9%
  • OBU 28.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Samford University 1160
  • OBU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Samford University 25
  • OBU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Samford University 3.84
  • OBU 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • Samford University A-
  • OBU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Samford University Average
  • OBU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Samford University
  • OBU Low
  • SAT range
  • Samford University 1070-1250
  • OBU 1070-1280
  • ACT range
  • Samford University 22-28
  • OBU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Samford University Test optional
  • OBU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Samford University May 1, 2027
  • OBU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Samford University $40,150
  • OBU $34,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Samford University $40,150
  • OBU $34,500
  • Room & board
  • Samford University $13,056
  • OBU $9,720
  • Average net price
  • Samford University $34,926
  • OBU $24,532
  • Average grant aid
  • Samford University $22,530
  • OBU $22,830
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Samford University 100%
  • OBU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Samford University 70%
  • OBU 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Samford University $57,400
  • OBU $43,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Samford University 77%
  • OBU 71%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Samford University $22,500
  • OBU $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Samford University $232
  • OBU $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Samford University 14:1
  • OBU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Samford University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Work and Family Studies (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • OBU
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (20%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Samford University Birmingham, AL
  • OBU Arkadelphia, AR
  • Setting
  • Samford University Large Suburban
  • OBU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Samford University 6,097
  • OBU 1,858
  • Type
  • Samford University Private 4 Year
  • OBU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Samford University #247
  • OBU #485

Comparable Facts

Compare Samford University in Birmingham, AL with Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Samford University is larger than OBU based on total student enrollment (6,097 students vs. 1,858 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 25.6% lower than at Samford University ($9,720 vs. $13,056).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Samford University than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $5,650 more per year; $40,150 vs. $34,500).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Samford University as at Ouachita Baptist University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Samford University students ($22,830 vs. $22,530).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Samford University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at OBU (25).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Samford University and OBU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Samford University average a 3.84 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at OBU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford University vs. 28.9% at OBU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University graduates have the same median loan debt ($22,500 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($232 vs. $232).
  • More Samford University 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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