Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 67.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 70.3%
- Retention Rate
- 82.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $51,673
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,050
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 68.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $223/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $44,776 | $21,320 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,748 | $25,197 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $22,750 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $36,726 | |
| Music. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $27,439 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $25,967 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $23,351 | $24,322 |
| Religion/Religious Studies. | Bachelor | $21,508 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $18,087 | $26,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Ouachita graduates earn a median of $51,673 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 41% with typical debt loads of $21,050. Monthly loan payments of $223 consume about 5% of graduates' income, well below the concerning 10% threshold. The 68.61% loan repayment rate reflects manageable debt burdens. Many graduates enter education, ministry, and creative fields given the university's strong liberal arts foundation and Baptist heritage. The music and theater programs prepare students for arts careers that often start with lower salaries but offer long-term growth potential. With 94.9% employment rates and reasonable debt loads relative to earnings, Ouachita delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking Christian liberal arts education.