Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
68.5% Acceptance Rate
Ouachita Baptist University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
68.5%Acceptance Rate
3.72Avg GPA
1212Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$45,132Annual Cost
$51,673Grad Salary
22.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
68.5%
Avg GPA
3.72
Avg SAT
1212
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1060–1290
ACT Middle 50%
21–28
Need-Based Aid
22.6% receive Pell
Ouachita Baptist University, established in 1886, is Arkansas's leading private Christian university with acclaimed music and business programs. The scenic Arkadelphia campus includes the new Hammons School of Business. OBU's 'Elrod Center' coordinates extensive service-learning opportunities.
Ouachita Baptist University Acceptance Rate
At 68.5%, admission to Ouachita Baptist University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What OBU Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 68.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.72 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.52 – 3.71
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.27
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Ouachita Baptist University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Ouachita Baptist University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of January 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 164 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
OBU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
January 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
OBU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at OBU is 3.72. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.42 and 3.72? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.92–4.12.OBU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.72 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.52 – 3.71
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.32 – 3.51
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.31
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No essay and no application fee required for undergraduate admission.
- Rolling admissions; acceptance rate ~67?69%.
- Recommended (not required) high school coursework: 4 English, 3 social science, 2 natural science, 2 math, 2 units of one foreign language.
- Recommendation letters are considered but not required; class rank is not considered by some reporting sources.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at OBU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Ouachita Baptist University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if OBU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into OBU Without SAT or ACT?
OBU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Ouachita Baptist University Average SAT Score: 1212
The average SAT score of admitted students at Ouachita Baptist University is 1212 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1212 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1290 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Ouachita Baptist University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1060, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at OBU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 580 | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 530 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1212 | 1060 | 1290 |
Below 1060, you're behind most admitted students; at 1290 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of OBU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at OBU is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT English | 26 | 21 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 21 | 28 |
Can I get into Ouachita Baptist University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of OBU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at OBU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for OBU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into OBU isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Skip essay-polishing entirely - spend that time on your transcript and test prep instead
OBU's application requires no essay and no application fee. Redirect the time you'd normally spend drafting a supplement into strengthening the academic record that actually drives OBU's decision.
Lean on your assigned admissions counselor as an ongoing resource, not a one-time contact
Students report counselors proactively check in every few months during the process - use that relationship to ask specific questions about your file rather than guessing from general web info.
Submit every test score you have - OBU doesn't appear to superscore automatically
Unlike some peer schools, OBU's policy on superscoring isn't clearly published - send your single best full test date rather than assuming mixed-section combining will happen for you.
Apply rolling, but early, to protect scholarship funding
OBU has no fixed regular deadline (rolling admission), but scholarship funds are limited - apply well ahead of your intended term rather than treating "rolling" as "no rush."
Expert Insight:
Because there's no essay or fee, some applicants under-invest in the rest of the application - thinking a "simple" process means a low-effort one. Transcript rigor and test scores carry the full weight of the decision here, so treat course selection and testing seriously.
OBU Profile
Full Name
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU)
City
Arkadelphia
State
Arkansas
ZIP Code
71998-0001
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a OBU Degree Worth It?
OBU offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $61,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.16%.
How much does a degree from OBU Cost?
The sticker price is $45,132/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
22.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 48.5% take federal loans at OBU. File your FAFSA early and list OBU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a OBU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $51,673. That's about 27% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Ouachita Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Ouachita Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Ouachita Baptist University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at OBU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About OBU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Ouachita Baptist University run about $51,673 a year.
Ouachita Baptist University costs roughly $45,132 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Ouachita Baptist University's Pell Grant rate of 22.6% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 68.5%, Ouachita Baptist University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Ouachita Baptist University average a 3.72 GPA.
Ouachita Baptist University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.42 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.32, Ouachita Baptist University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Ouachita Baptist University — aim above 1212, ideally within the 1060–1290 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Ouachita Baptist University is January 15. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 40. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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