We’re Ouachita Baptist University. Founded in 1886 — the same year the Statue of Liberty was unveiled — we’ve been a Christ-centered learning community focused on providing outstanding academic training and career preparation for more than 135 years. So how do you say Ouachita? It’s pronounced [Wash-i-tah], like you’re washing your hands, and comes from the nearby Ouachita River and Ouachita Mountains.
Arkadelphia sits in the foothills of the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, an hour south of Little Rock and a scenic 25-mile drive from Hot Springs. It’s friendly and easy to navigate – you’ll find your way around our restaurants, coffee houses, quaint downtown and choice picnic spots in no time. And parking in town is always free.
The weather is mild here almost all year. So if you love the outdoors, you’ll be excited to know we have more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails winding through and around town. Also, within minutes of leaving your dorm, you could be kayaking the Ouachita or Caddo rivers, and swimming, golfing or fishing at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Equipment you’ll need for just about any adventure is available free or for a small fee through our campus Recreational Life program.
Learn more about Ouachita’s location and what Arkadelphia has to offer SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT obu.edu/area
We’re excited to keep setting enrollment milestones (our highest in more than 55 years!), to continue exceeding the typical 4-year graduation rate of all colleges and universities in Arkansas and to celebrate outstanding grad outcomes rates. Plus, we’re ranked among the best national liberal arts universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report
They tell us students are finding a transformational college experience here; that our distinctive approach to Christian higher education is drawing more students than ever before to enroll at and graduate from Ouachita.
We care about big percentage points and record-breaking stats because each represents one Ouachita student who has a name, a story, a purpose. Distinct interests and goals. A student who trusts us to offer a highly personalized approach to higher education, a vibrant campus culture and opportunities for spiritual growth.
JOB OR GRADUATE SCHOOL
Your parents will rest easy knowing your post-grad plans are locked in.
At Ouachita, you’ll be part of a close-knit community where you’re valued and known, where your professors invest personally in your success (except when you meet them on the intramural field). You’ll have friends competing on our athletics teams. A campus police force that's available 24-7. On-campus medical care when you’re not feeling your best. And support in the counseling center when you need someone to talk to.
Nearly all our undergrads live in campus housing, where there’s a whole lot of bonding over meals, movie nights and Super Smash Bros. Residence life builds a special kind of community; it’s a big part of what makes Ouachita unique.
We’ve been creating community and connection for more than 135 years, and we’ve gotten good at it. We have big things in store for you at Ouachita!
If you’re reading up on colleges, your eyeballs are probably swimming in statistics. Especially when you come across those stats you see everywhere, like “average class size” and “studentto-faculty ratio.” The numbers can look a lot alike. And who even knows what they really mean?
Classes will average 21 students, give or take a few. And we don’t put more than one section in a room at one time. There are no gigantic, impersonal lecture halls here. Real conversations occur in class. Hands-on research programs, internships and fieldwork are available to undergrads. Asking questions and exchanging ideas are encouraged, because that’s what Ouachita is about.
OUR STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO?
It’s 12:1. And the “one” will be a professor (not a grad student!) who knows your name, leaves their office door open, organizes networking opportunities for you and prepares you for reasoned engagement with the world. It doesn’t matter which of the 70+ majors you choose in one of our seven academic schools – you’ll have an advisor from your field of study, and you’ll find your dean teaching every semester.
1 00% OF CLAS SES TAUGHT BY PROFESSORS RATHER THAN GRADUATE STUDENTS
Record numbers of students are choosing Ouachita, while enrollment in Arkansas and around the country decreases. And Ouachita students are more likely to graduate in four years (or less!) than students at most other schools. That means completing your degree without spending extra time and money for additional semesters, an advantage as you pursue grad school or enter the job market after graduation.
When you read between the stats, the difference becomes clear. Ouachita’s highly personalized approach to higher education separates us from the pack. There might be an average of only 21 students in any given class. But we’re saving a seat for you.
Ouachita’s comprehensive academic catalog offers courses in more than 70 undergraduate degree programs – AND AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY, WE’RE STILL GROWING!
• B.S.N. degree pathway in the Department of Nursing as well as a state-of-the-art simulation and teaching center
• a co-major in psychology and community & family services, pairing the strengths of our Department of Psychology and the Pruet School of Christian Studies to prepare students for graduate study to pursue careers as licensed, compassionate mental health counselors
• a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in engineering with emphases in general, mechanical and civil, and a newlyrenovated engineering lab
• a criminal justice major – the only one of its kind in Arkansas – combining classroom instruction and hands-on field experience
• a Bachelor of Arts degree in cybersecurity, offering a wide range of skills as well as a computer ethics class built into the curriculum
CARL GOODSON HONORS PROGRAM
Do you like a challenge? You’ll find it in the Carl Goodson Honors Program, where high-achieving students can pursue coursework exploring subjects outside Ouachita’s regular curriculum. Perks include priority registration, research funding and connections with faculty mentors who’ll help you discover what you’re passionate to study.
More than 150 students representing all of Ouachita’s academic schools take part in Scholars Day each spring. This annual tradition is sponsored by the Honors Program but spotlights academic work from students campus-wide.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER
Keeping up with homework, sharpening study skills, getting a handle on time management: whatever your challenges, the Academic Success Center is available to help underprepared students prepare, prepared students advance and advanced students excel. They have resources available to support you in becoming a more independent, efficient learner.
PRACTICUM AND INTERNSHIPS
At Ouachita, you won’t just sharpen your mind in class. Many majors offer internships in your field of study, like our summer research program in the natural sciences or even a semester-long mission trip through the School of Christian Studies. Communications and education majors learn hands-on through school publications and student teaching. You'll even host a senior gallery as an art student!
There’s no pressure to pick a major before you get here; if you’re undecided, our Discover program offers you the opportunity to learn more about yourself first. Because the better you know yourself, the better equipped you are to understand God’s calling for your life and to find the career that best suits you.
Whatever you choose to study at Ouachita, you can count on doing a lot of writing throughout your college career. So if writing isn’t your jam (or even if it is!), get to know the folks in the Speer Writing Center. Their goal? To make better writers, not just better pieces of writing.
Want to see world-famous art and architecture in Europe? Immerse yourself in language and cultural study in Japan? Ouachita’s Study Abroad program provides opportunities for travel and rich, educational experiences all over the world – from France to Australia, Morocco to Costa Rica and all points in between!
View your opportunities to study abroad
SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT obu.edu/study-abroad-sites
All over the country, Ouachita alums are at work in boardrooms, courtrooms, newsrooms, classrooms and operating rooms. In ministry, research, government, politics, sports, non-profits, the arts. Which is not surprising. Because that’s Ouachita.
Ouachita faculty and staff are focused on providing students their best chance for success. It’s right there in our mission statement: “… the university prepares individuals for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth, lives of meaningful work and reasoned engagement with the world.”
When we talk about our record graduation and placement rates, those numbers represent exciting career opportunities for Ouachita students. Our goal is to send each one out into the world with the education and the communication, thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills they’ll need to make an impact in whatever field they choose.
Do you see your future self on a New York Times Best Sellers list? Making a successful pitch on “Shark Tank” or making the judges turn around for you on “The Voice”? Repping a professional athlete – or competing as one? Conducting impactful research? Working at any level of local, state or national government? Ouachita alums have been there. And they started here. Your future can begin at Ouachita, too. Let us show you how.
Corporation • The Bank of America Corporation • Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. • Baptist Health • Bassmaster • Blue Cross Blue Shield Association • Boston Lyric Opera • The Braille Institute of America • Bumble Inc. • Cincinnati Opera • Citigroup Inc. • Cleveland Clinic • The Coca-Cola Company • Compassion International • Condé Nast • The Dallas Opera • David C. Cook Publishing Company • David’s Burgers • DaySpring Cards • Dillard’s, Inc. • Ernst & Young LLP • ESPN • Federal Bureau of Investigation • Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago • Fidelity Investments Inc. • Ford Motor Company • Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP
• General Electric Company • General Motors Financial Company, Inc. • Goldman Sachs • Heifer International • Hilton Brands • The Home Depot, Inc. • Indianapolis Colts
• Internal Revenue Service • International Mission Board
• Jacksonville Jaguars • J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. • J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. • JPMorgan Chase & Co. • Kansas City Royals • Kimberly-Clark Corporation • Lifeway Christian Resources • Lockheed Martin Corp. • Mayo Clinic • Merrill Lynch & Co. • Meta Platforms, Inc.
• Michael Kors USA • Microsoft Corporation • Murphy Oil Corp. • The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston • NASCAR, LLC • National Aeronautics and Space Administration • National Endowment for the Arts • Nestlé USA • New York Mets • New York City Opera • North American Mission Board • Pediatrics Plus • PepsiCo • PGA of America • PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. • Rainwater, Holt & Sexton • Regions Financial Corporation • Reynolds, Inc. • RightNow Media • Saatchi & Saatchi X • Sally Beauty Inc. • San Francisco 49ers • 7-Eleven, Inc. • She Reads Truth • Southwest Airlines Co. • Stephens Inc. • Tacos 4 Life, LLC
• Tampa Bay Rays • Target Corporation • Taylor King Law
• Tenet Healthcare Corporation • Topgolf International, Inc. • Tyson Foods, Inc. • UnitedHealthcare • United Parcel Service, Inc. • United States Military • United Way
• Variety Media, LLC • Verizon Communications, Inc. • The Wall Street Journal • Walmart Inc. • The Walt Disney Company • Walton Family Foundation • WaterBrook & Multnomah Publishing Group • Wells Fargo & Company
• The White House • Windstream Communications • Winrock International • Word Entertainment LLC • World Vision International • YETI • Zulily, LLC
our
Cliff Harris ’70
NFL Hall of Fame inductee • Dallas Cowboys safety (retired)
“Everywhere I go all over the world, it seems that I’m always greeted by someone who will say, ‘Hey, Cliff, I went to Ouachita!’ It sure makes me proud that I did, too.”
Jane Chu ’80
former chairperson, National Endowment for the Arts
“Ouachita has held a deep and meaningful place in my heart. My singular favorite Ouachita memory is of the people. They care about you as a person first and foremost. That’s the Ouachita brand.”
Edwin Payne ’81
U.S. Army colonel, U.S. Department of Defense (retired)
“The instruction I received from Ouachita enabled me to hone in on and optimize essential on-the-job abilities. Ouachita contributed to fine-tuning my preparation phase in life for the road map to success.”
Mitch Bettis ’90 owner and president, Arkansas Business Publishing Group
“At Ouachita, I saw from my professors that it’s possible to have high expectations of yourself and of others while also walking in faith and living out Galatians 5:13 – in love, serve one another.”
Dr. Jana Crain ’92
California Advanced Imaging
Medical Associates Inc. • team radiologist, San Francisco 49ers
“On my first day as a freshman at Ouachita, I had the best feeling in the world: I was exactly where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I was supposed to do. Little did I know that for the next four years, it was building a foundation of family and education for my lifetime.”
Austin & Ashton Samuelson ’08 founders, Tacos 4 Life
“I’m thankful that Ouachita equipped us with an incredible education that helps us use what we love to do to change lives through social entrepreneurship.” (Ashton)
Alyse Eady ’10
news anchor, FOX 5 Atlanta • Miss Arkansas 2010 • first runner-up to Miss America 2011
“My education at Ouachita gave me more than a diploma; it gave me a values system that has helped me become more of the person I want to be. It instilled in me a high standard of excellence.”
Jacob Keith Watson ’11
Broadway actor and singer, Chicago the Musical; Hello, Dolly!; the Tony Award®-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along and more
“My professors had me working on everything from Shakespeare to Puccini, to Sondheim, to Brecht. They truly believed in experiencing every possible facet of acting and being a theatre artist. The things I learned at Ouachita have proven to be invaluable.”
Rylie Slone ’21
associate attorney, Hall Booth Smith, P.C., in Rogers, Ark.
"I'm forever grateful the education I received at Ouachita gave me the strong foundation and ethical framework needed to thrive both in law school and in my career as an attorney. The Christcentered values I learned there continue to shape how I serve others with integrity and dedication."
We believe life is lived most fully in relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s son. So we’re committed to helping you love God and love learning. That’s an important part of the Ouachita difference.
BUT WALKING BY FAITH DOESN’T MEAN CHECKING YOUR BRAIN AT THE DOOR.
Ouachita is a rigorous, Christ-centered learning community where you’ll be challenged to carefully explore what you believe. We give you a boost by requiring weekly chapel attendance and two classes that introduce you to the Bible and offer tools for understanding it. Beyond that, we’ll equip you to integrate faith and career in whatever field you choose.
Campus Ministries and the Elrod Center for Family and Community have a calendar full of opportunities for you to get involved, make friends, be a leader and grow your faith – from Life Groups and student-led campus worship to spring break, summer and semester-long mission trips. You’ll also have access to service efforts around town and around the world where you can turn your faith into action.
Take
Church camp can be life-changing and a whole lot of fun. College can be, too, but our vibe is different. There’s no dress code you have to follow or curfew you have to observe. And you don’t have to be Baptist to come to Ouachita.
After all, faith isn’t about “have to.” It’s about choosing to. If you want to prepare for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth, choosing Ouachita will give you a place to embrace your calling and begin building a life of meaningful work – wherever your degree takes you.
40,000+
There are lots of universities, but there’s only one Ouachita. We're a small campus with a packed-out social calendar. And we play our way.
From trivia nights and moonlight hikes to mixers, barn parties, concerts, weekend retreats and a campus-wide Christmas celebration – the offices of Student Life and Rec Life make sure there’s always something to look forward to. And our student organizations offer you tons of ways to plug in and keep you as busy as you want to be with causes you care about and ways to just have some fun.
Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert — whether you’re into music, sports, languages, Greek life, science, travel, theatre, business, philosophy — you’ll find that our clubs, organizations and activities have something in common: All of them give you the chance to put yourself out there. Make new friends. Find your spot. Be a leader.
That Tiger Life is waiting for you here in the ’Delph, so get ready to dive in!
WHATEVER YOUR VIBE, YOU CAN FIND A TON OF WAYS TO CONNECT AND BUILD COMMUNITY!
At Ouachita, you’re just minutes away from some of the best hiking, fishing, floating, camping and climbing in Arkansas. You can enjoy fresh air and open space year-round, and you don’t have to be super outdoorsy to find a corner of creation to enjoy. You can cast a line, camp under clear skies or launch a canoe in the Ouachita or Caddo rivers or DeGray Lake. Enjoy a walk, jog or bike ride along Feaster Trail. Take in the gorgeous view from the top of DeSoto Bluff.
Need equipment? Rec Life has everything from tents, hammocks, camp stoves and headlamps to portable beach volleyball sets available to rent for a small fee (and sometimes even for free).
Want to hang out with friends, meet new people, enjoy some friendly(ish) competition and play the sports you love? Intramurals – a.k.a. Rec Sports – is for you.
18 sports available, including:
ARCHERY
BASKETBALL
CORNHOLE
DISC GOLF
DODGEBALL
FLAG FOOTBALL
HUMAN FOOSBALL
INNER TUBE WATER POLO
KANJAM
KICKBALL
PICKLEBALL
PING PONG
SOCCER
SOFTBALL
SPIKEBALL
TENNIS
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
VOLLEYBALL
What’s a social club? Ouachita’s versions of fraternities and sororities – all nine! – were chartered and are exclusively maintained on Ouachita’s campus. Some even date back to the university’s earliest days. Every club has its own personality, traditions and extended alumni family. They are deeply embedded in campus life, and members live in campus housing along with the rest of the student body.
Social clubs are where you’ll plan parties and events. Raise money for great causes. Put together a show for Tiger Tunes. Learn the value of teamwork. Be a leader
WOMEN:
If you don’t want to be in a social club, that’s more than okay. More than half our students aren’t in social clubs at all. Campus life at Ouachita offers you plenty of opportunities to get involved, lead and make a difference.
WHEN YOU SPEND TIME AT OUACHITA, YOU’LL DISCOVER TRADITION MEANS A LOT TO A TIGER.
Our main campus has occupied the same tree-lined grounds since 1886. When you walk these 85 acres, you’re retracing the footsteps of Ouachita’s very first students. So we’re very connected to our rich history, and we’re deeply proud of it.
You’ll see that when you meet your admissions counselor at Cone-Bottoms Hall, a hundred-year-old icon and the best-loved building on campus. Or when you grab a latte in the Stu at Dr. Jack’s – named for Ouachita’s first president, J.W. “Dr. Jack” Conger.
Ask a freshman why they’d wear a purple and gold felt beanie during new student orientation. (It is a strong look.) Chances are, they’ll give you the same answer their parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents would have given when they were freshmen: Because it’s tradition.
The Tiger fight song you’ll hear played by the Marching Band is an arrangement of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” composed in the 1970s by a beloved Ouachita band director, the late Marvin Lawson. Our signature chant “Boom-a-Lacka!” started not with a cheer squad, but a debate team. It’s endured more than a hundred years.
And we have a week’s worth of traditions just around the annual Battle of the Ravine, which is itself one of the oldest, most unique traditions in all of college football. (More on that later.)
WE LOVE OUR TRADITIONS. THEY HONOR WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO US. INCLUDING YOU.
Names of Ouachita graduates are carved in the sidewalks through the heart of campus. Which is fitting, because students are the very heart of Ouachita.
Come see those sidewalks and picture your name there. Consider how our rich history and traditions can shape your amazing future.
We’re a friendly, laid-back bunch here in Tiger Nation – until the game starts. We’re proud of our athletics legacy. And more than a little competitive during game time.
Ouachita’s athletics tradition dates back to the late 1800s; our across-the-street football rivalry, “The Battle of the Ravine,” is one of the oldest and most unique in the nation.
Ouachita’s 18 championship-level athletic teams compete in NCAA Division II and the Great American Conference; they all provide an awesome fan experience for Tiger Nation. Since our average class size is 21, you’ll have friends who compete on one or more of our teams. So you’ll learn that when the Tigers win, it’s personal.
You’re probably already thinking about what you’ll pack for your first year at Ouachita. You’ll bring your clothes. You’ll bring stuff to decorate your dorm room. You’ll bring your books, your laptop, your backpack. Just don’t forget to #BRINGYOURROAR.
3.27
STUDENT-ATHLETE CUMULATIVE GPA
Men’s: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Wrestling
Women’s: Basketball, Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball
All freshmen live in one of three residence halls – one option for women, and two options for men.
Located close to academic buildings and the Ouachita Commons cafeteria, Flippen-Perrin Hall is where freshman men create bonds that last. Because freshman men and women (housed in Frances Crawford Hall) are next-door neighbors, it's easy to catch a movie in the lobby with friends, participate in open dorm, meet up with a group for dinner or throw a disc on the lawn of historic Cone-Bottoms Hall.
• Flippen and Perrin wings house a total of 160 students.
• Suite-style rooms share a bathroom with two sinks, a vanity, a tub/shower and a toilet.
• Rooms are furnished with two bunkable/loftable twin beds with extra-long mattresses, as well as built-in shelving, desk, drawers and closet for each student.
• Complete with a ping pong table, seating area and TV, the Flippen-Perrin lobby is a popular place for residents to hang out.
Late night study groups, spontaneous dance parties and long afternoon chat sessions begin building friendships you’ll have for life.
• East and West wings house a total of 294 students.
• Each room has a sink and shares bathroom facilities with an adjacent room.
• Rooms are furnished with two bunkable/loftable twin beds with extra-long mattresses, as well as a desk, chair, dresser and closet for each student. Some rooms include a nightstand. Additional storage is available above the closet.
• Francis Crawford’s lobby, furnished with comfortable seating and a TV, is an active common space used for residence life events, movie nights, birthday parties and more.
Located near Evans Student Center and Lile Hall, O.C. Bailey Hall brings its residents to the center of campus life. Lobby spaces provide a great place for freshman men to build community.
• Newly renovated O.C. Bailey houses 86 residents.
• Sinks are provided in each room, and community bathroom facilities with individual stalls and showers are located on each floor.
• Rooms are furnished with two bunkable/loftable twin beds with extra-long mattresses, as well as a desk, chair and closet for each student.
Housing options for upperclassmen include several residence halls as well as Ouachita-owned apartments that are assigned based on hours and GPA.
• House 64 upperclassman women each
• 4-person suites with two double-occupancy rooms and a shared bathroom
• Lobbies on every floor with couches, TVs and spaces to study
• House 350 upperclassman men (in Tollett) & women (in Gosser)
• First-floor lobbies with TVs and couches
• Third-floor terraces with outdoor seating
• Both halls feature additional study spaces, as well as fitness and theater rooms
Anthony Hall
• Houses 136 upperclassman men
• 4-person suites with two double-occupancy rooms, a shared bathroom and shared living room
• Study spaces
• Large first-floor lobby with couches, a TV and ping pong and foosball tables
Maddox Hall
• Houses 136 upperclassman women
• 4-person suites with two double-occupancy rooms, a shared bathroom and shared living room
• Study spaces
• Large first-floor lobby with couches, TVs and additional study space
In addition to the brand new Terrace Apartments on the southwest corner of campus, Starlight, Lancelot, Caddo and newly-renovated Kluck Hillside Apartments and Tatman Corner are available to upperclassman men and women. All are located within walking distance of campus.
Upon admission to Ouachita, you’ll be sent login credentials to the Ouachita Portal, where you’ll find a checklist to the following steps:
• Pay housing & enrollment deposit.
Deposits may be paid online through the Ouachita Portal or by contacting Student Financial Services at 870.245.5570. Deposits are fully refundable through May 1.
• Complete the Housing Application. Have a roommate or suitemate you want to request? List those on the Housing Application. The application includes questions about you and your living preferences, such as room cleanliness, sleep environment and likes/dislikes. Please give as much detail as you can, and share it with your admissions counselor as well.
Ouachita’s Offices of Admissions Counseling and Student Development pair students based on their Housing Application and information gained through frequent communication with the student and their family. We believe “going potluck” can be a great experience, so students are not assigned randomly or through a computer-generated process
There are several rounds of housing selection dates; the first is in late February/early March. After each round of housing, the Office of Student Development will notify students via email of their roommate's name and contact information.
All students who have been admitted, paid their deposit and completed their Housing Application by the published deadline (typically two weeks prior to the first round) are eligible to be housed during the first round in late February/early March. Students will be informed of their room location during the summer. All freshman women are housed in Frances Crawford Hall, and freshman men are housed in either Flippen-Perrin Hall or O.C. Bailey Hall.
Housing assignments for student athletes are made in consultation with respective coaching staffs based on team needs.
Many universities aren’t straightforward about the amount you'll spend for tuition and expenses. We won't surprise you with hidden fees, because we like to be transparent about how much things cost.
Tuition, Fees, Housing & Food for 2025-2026:
$17,500 // Tuition per semester
$ 370 // Fees per semester (includes general & technology fees)
$5,100 // Housing & Food per semester
$22,970 // Total per semester
$45,940 // Yearly total
Fees 101: What am I paying for?
Everyone pays a general fee — which provides free copies of the campus paper and yearbook and free admission to athletics, lecture and performing arts events — and a technology fee to cover things like high-speed WiFi, campuswide printing and computer labs.
Other fees are optional. Students who choose to bring a vehicle to campus pay a $40 registration fee each semester for parking. Some specific courses include a fee for special expenses, but most are minimal. Higher fees are common in natural sciences, performing arts and kinesiology. We want you to be prepared, so check out the “student expenses” section of Ouachita’s academic catalog. You’ll find a detailed list of courses that require fees; this will help you plan for your course load.
Housing & food explained
These charges are based on a standard room with a roommate and a standard meal plan. Housing charges are the same for all residence halls and include unlimited access to a washer and dryer. A standard meal plan includes up to five entries each day to the Ouachita Commons all-youcan-eat cafeteria and $550 to spend each semester in Evans Student Center at Chick-fil-A, Tacos 4 Life, Tiger Grill and Dr. Jack’s Coffeehouse.
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL
AID (FAFSA)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA – say that five times fast!) is the application you have to complete to apply for all types of federal aid: Pell grants (money you don’t have to pay back), federal student loans (money you have to pay back after graduation) or work study (a campus job – yay!) –among others.
Complete the FAFSA the fall of your senior year at studentaid.gov. List Ouachita Baptist University (school code 001102) as one of the schools you've applied to.
FINANCIAL AID FROM OUACHITA
A variety of scholarships are awarded by the university based on criteria including a student’s academic focus, hometown or extracurriculars; there are also scholarships for ministry and missionary kids. Start your search here to look for awards that match your situation. See a complete list at obu.edu/finaid/obu.
scholarships for 2025-2026
For first-time freshmen, scholarships are based on high school GPA through the seventh semester of high school. A standardized test score is only required for the President’s Scholarship.
President's Scholarship
$80,000 4-year value ($20,000 per year)
Minimum ACT score of 26 required
Potential eligibility based upon ACT and GPA combination
Founder's Scholarship
$68,000 4-year value ($17,000 per year)
High school GPA of 3.85-4.0
Dean's Scholarship
$60,000 4-year value ($15,000 per year)
High school GPA of 3.55-3.849
Collegiate Scholarship
$48,000 4-year value ($12,000 per year)
High school GPA of 3.00-3.549
Opportunity Award
$20,000 4-year value ($5,000/year)
High school GPA of 2.00-2.999
Transfer scholarships
We have scholarships for transfer students, too! They are available up to eight semesters, minus the semesters you’ve attended full time at another institution.
$12,500 per year // Transfer GPA of 3.5 and above
$10,000 per year // Transfer GPA of 3.0-3.49
$7,500 per year // Transfer GPA of 2.5-2.99
$5,000 per year // Transfer GPA of 2.0-2.49
FROM PRIVATE, STATE OR FEDERAL SOURCES
There’s a wide range of options available to help finance a college education. If you’re interested, you’ll need to explore those independently. But we’ve compiled resources at obu.edu/finaid/private to get you started.
Acquiring debt can be scary, but when you borrow only what you need, a student loan can be useful in making college affordable. Especially at Ouachita – where students are more likely than their peers to graduate on time and be employed or in grad school within six months. They’ll also have less federal loan debt than state and national averages. If you’re considering student loan options, our student financial services team can help you make wise choices.
Whether it’s your admissions counselor helping you understand different kinds of awards that are available, our student financial services team answering your questions about workstudy eligibility, a professor coaching you through a difficult concept in class so you can maintain the grades you need to hold on to your scholarship or a faculty advisor keeping you on track to graduate on time –at Ouachita, we’ll walk with you through the whole financial aid process.
We're here to help you figure it out
The college application process can be daunting, but we’re here to help! To be considered for 2025-2026 admission, begin with these steps.
1. Create an account at obu.edu/apply. Our application is simple and free and doesn’t require an essay.
2. Submit your official high school transcript. Have your school counselor send it to us at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71998.
3. Submit other academic records as needed. We may request that you also send us references and/ or official ACT/SAT test scores. After you’re admitted, we’ll ask you either to submit a test score or take our math placement test. If you have questions, ask your admissions counselor!
1. Apply for admission at obu.edu/apply.
2. Submit your official transcript(s) from the colleges and universities you have previously attended. If you are in your first semester of college, also request an official transcript from your high school. Please have them sent to Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, AR, 71998.
3. List all colleges and universities you’ve attended in the past. Transfer students may be admitted if they are eligible to return to the institution they previously attended and have a 2.0 GPA.
For more information about transfer admission and transferring coursework from other institutions, visit obu.edu/registrar
No fee, no essay –apply now!
SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT obu.edu/apply
INFO FOR
& INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Ouachita has a rich history of welcoming students from a variety of educational and cultural backgrounds. Learn more about the special support systems provided to help ease the transition to our residential undergraduate experience at obu.edu/ internationaladmissions. And don't worry; we'll help you navigate any additional paperwork needed to accommodate your unique circumstance.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
There is no deadline, but scholarship priority is given to students who apply before December 1.
Schedule a personal campus tour or attend a group visit day. Scan the QR code or visit obu.edu/visit to learn more and begin planning your trip. We’re excited to meet you!
HICKINGBOTHAM SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
ACCOUNTING
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Entrepreneurship
Management
Marketing
Sport Management FINANCE
PRUET SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN STUDIES
APOLOGETICS*
BIBLICAL LANGUAGES
CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS
CHRISTIAN STUDIES
Biblical Studies & Theology
Christian Ministry
Christian Missions
Philosophy
COMMUNITY & FAMILY SERVICES
Clinical
Human Services
GREEK*
HEBREW*
PHILOSOPHY
HUCKABEE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
COACHING*
EDUCATION (K-12)
Art Kinesiology
Music
Speech Communication & Theatre Arts
EDUCATION, ELEMENTARY (K-6)
EDUCATION, MIDDLE SCHOOL (4-8)
English & Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
EDUCATION, SECONDARY (7-12)
Life/Earth Sciences (Biology)
Physical/Earth Sciences (Chemistry)
English
Mathematics
Physics/Mathematics
Social Studies
Speech Communication & Theatre Arts
EDUCATION STUDIES*
KINESIOLOGY
Exercise Science
Pre-Professional Studies
Recreation & Sports Administration
Recreation & Sports Ministry
SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS
DANCE*
MUSIC
MUSIC EDUCATION
MUSIC INDUSTRY
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
MUSICAL THEATRE
THEATRE ARTS
WORSHIP STUDIES
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
ART EDUCATION
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA
Communications Studies
Integrated Communications
Multimedia Journalism
Sports Media
Strategic Communications
Visual Media & Film
ENGLISH
ENGLISH, EDITING
ENGLISH LITERATURE
ENGLISH, WRITING*
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPANISH
STUDIO ART
PATTERSON SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGY
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
BIOPHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY, PROFESSIONAL
COMMUNICATIONS SCIENCES & DISORDERS
COMPUTER SCIENCE
CYBERSECURITY
ENGINEERING
Civil
General
Mechanical
ENGINEERING PHYSICS
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
MATHEMATICS
MATHEMATICS, APPLIED
NURSING
NUTRITION & DIETETICS
PHYSICS
PHYSICS, APPLIED
SUTTON SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
HISTORY
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
LEGAL STUDIES*
MILITARY SCIENCE*
POLITICAL SCIENCE
PRE-COUNSELING
PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY
Pre-Professional Programs
ARCHITECTURE
COUNSELING
DENTAL HYGIENE
DENTISTRY
GOVERNMENT
LAW
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
OPTOMETRY
PHARMACY
PHYSICAL THERAPY
PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
SOCIAL WORK
VETERINARY MEDICINE
Grad Programs
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (M.A. OR M.S.)
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (M.B.A.)
COUNSELING (M.A.)
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
(M.ED. OR CERTIFICATE)
EXERCISE SCIENCE (M.S.)
NUTRITION & DIETETICS
(M.S./Dietetic Internship)
*Minor only
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (M.A. OR M.S.)
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (M.B.A.)
COUNSELING (M.A.)
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION (M.ED. OR CERTIFICATE)
EXERCISE SCIENCE (M.S.)
NUTRITION & DIETETICS (M.S./DIETETIC INTERNSHIP)
