Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ouachita Baptist University at a Glance
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) is a private Christian university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States. It is affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, a state convention affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The university's name is taken from the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern campus boundary.
1886
140 years old
$65M
$65.4 million
1,784
1,730 undergrad · 54 grad
109
160 acres
Identity
Is Ouachita Baptist University Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Ouachita Baptist University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,673 — 4% below average — while paying $22,409/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Ouachita Baptist University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Ouachita Baptist University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #43 of 131 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | University of Mary | 58 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| #5 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #6 | Augustana College | 53 | $22,736 | $62,971 |
| #43 | Ouachita Baptist University | 38 | $22,409 | $51,673 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ouachita Baptist University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in AR.
Best Programs at Ouachita Baptist University
The highest-earning program at Ouachita Baptist University is Finance and Financial Management Services at $43,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from Ouachita Baptist University earns $43,600, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $18,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,409/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,600 | $43,600 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,200 | $37,200 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,600 | $31,600 | $23,700 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $18,700 | $18,700 | $21,047 |
Similar Colleges in AR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Arkadelphia, AR
- Student Body
- 1,602 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,409
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,673
- Median Student Debt
- $21,050