Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Ouachita Baptist University #1307 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,686 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 6.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Ouachita Baptist University sits in the 17.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Ouachita Baptist University's composite ranking reflects strong financial outcomes relative to cost, with graduates consistently outperforming expectations. The institution's focus on business programs contributes to these durable financial results.
Azimuth ranks Ouachita Baptist University #1307 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Ouachita Baptist University enrolls roughly 1,602 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 82.5% freshman retention rate and a 61.4% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Ouachita Baptist University delivers consistent long-term financial outcomes anchored in return on investment. Azimuth ranks Ouachita Baptist University #1220 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,686 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Ouachita Baptist University in the 6.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program mix centers on Business, which aligns with strong regional labor-market demand and contributes to the institution's solid earnings trajectory for graduates. Access and affordability round out the composite profile. Ouachita Baptist University enrolls 23.4% Pell-eligible students and 23.5% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a student population with meaningful financial need. Azimuth ranks Ouachita Baptist University in the 19.0 percentile for access and the 48.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families seeking a private baccalaureate education with predictable long-term financial outcomes and broad access, Ouachita Baptist University offers a reliable pathway to degree completion and career stability.
Ouachita Baptist University's published cost of attendance is $47,321. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $15,207, middle-income families pay around $18,007, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,281. Azimuth ranks Ouachita Baptist University #728 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Ouachita Baptist University meets demonstrated financial need through a combination of need-based scholarships, grants, and federal aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and the university works with students to construct aid packages that bridge the gap between net price and family resources. Merit-based aid is also available for qualifying students, providing additional pathways to affordability beyond need-based assistance. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,050, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,385; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $49,862, median federal debt of $21,050 projects to a monthly payment of about $238 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Ouachita Baptist University is a strong fit for students seeking a private liberal arts education in AR with a focus on Business programs and Christian values. The university's small size and residential campus offer a tight-knit learning environment for undergraduates who thrive in close academic communities. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $49,862, placing Ouachita Baptist University in the 10.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,686 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 6.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 23.4% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 23.5% being first-generation students. This access is supported by an admission rate of 67.5%, making the university moderately selective while remaining accessible to many qualified applicants. Fit depends on alignment with the university's Business focus and Christian mission. Students seeking a faith-based education with strong outcomes in these areas will find Ouachita Baptist University delivers meaningful returns relative to AR's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,748.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Ouachita Baptist University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Ouachita Baptist University's published cost of attendance is $47,321. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $15,207, middle-income families pay around $18,007, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,281.
Azimuth ranks Ouachita Baptist University #728 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Ouachita Baptist University meets demonstrated financial need through a combination of need-based scholarships, grants, and federal aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and the university works with students to construct aid packages that bridge the gap between net price and family resources.
Merit-based aid is also available for qualifying students, providing additional pathways to affordability beyond need-based assistance. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,050, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,385; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $49,862, median federal debt of $21,050 projects to a monthly payment of about $238 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Ouachita Baptist University earn median 4-year earnings of $49,862, placing Ouachita Baptist University in the 10.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $18,686 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Ouachita Baptist University in the 6.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Ouachita Baptist University #1220 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Ouachita Baptist University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Biology, General is the largest program with 32 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $69,747, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field. The Communication and Media Studies program graduates 30 students with median 4-year earnings of $50,369, and Teacher Education delivers median 4-year earnings of $44,525 across 24 graduates.
These programs anchor the institution's return profile, with Business representing the dominant academic focus and driving consistent outcomes across the student body.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Central Arkansas Higher acceptance rate (21.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 74 miles away; similar graduate earnings | AR | 90% | $45,938 | Compare |
Texas A&M University-Texarkana Higher acceptance rate (11.7 percentage points higher) and located 75 miles away; similar graduate earnings | TX | 80% | $45,515 | Compare |
Harding University Higher acceptance rate (31.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AR | 100% | $52,876 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At El Paso Higher acceptance rate (31.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | TX | 100% | $50,923 | Compare |
Central Baptist College Same state (75 miles away) with similar earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | AR | 46% | $46,789 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gordon College Similar quality tier (#36083 ranked) | MA | 69% | $52,119 | #36083 | Compare |
Chowan University Similar quality tier (#36086 ranked) | NC | 69% | $38,412 | #36086 | Compare |
Greensboro College Similar quality tier (#36081 ranked) | NC | 70% | $46,566 | #36081 | Compare |
Hiram College Similar quality tier (#36078 ranked) | OH | 94% | $54,311 | #36078 | Compare |
New England College Similar quality tier (#36090 ranked) | NH | 92% | $42,092 | #36090 | Compare |
Finance and Financial Management Services
20 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
11 graduates
Biology, General
32 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
21 graduates
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
11 graduates
Ouachita Baptist University's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts university with strong workforce-preparation focus. Biology, General is the largest program with 32 graduates, followed by Communication and Media Studies, Teacher Education, Business Administration, and Finance.
The institution serves approximately 340 students across 28 programs, with 0 meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied business and professional-pathway fields.
Finance leads with median earnings of $77,583 four years after enrollment across 20 graduates, followed by Biology, General with $69,747 and 21 graduates. Business Administration graduates earn $66,175, while Kinesiology and Communication and Media Studies round out the highest-earning programs with $53,597 and $50,369 respectively.
These earnings outcomes reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable professional roles immediately after graduation. The concentration in Business — supported by complementary offerings in Education and Arts — positions Ouachita Baptist University as a career-focused institution aligned with regional labor-market demand.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with workforce trends in Arkansas and surrounding regions.
