At $22,355/yr net price, Ouachita Baptist University graduates earn $51,673/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,673/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,355 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $89,420 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,673/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,673/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,050 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,709/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,326/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,813/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,238/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,523/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
70.3% of students at Ouachita Baptist University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Ouachita Baptist gives you a mixed financial picture. Median earnings ten years out sit above the median debt load, and a 70% graduation rate with 83% retention means most people who start here finish and pay their loans down. That combination keeps the risk lower than at schools where students borrow and leave without a degree.
The program-level numbers tell a harder story. Finance leads the listed majors at $44,776, but that still falls below the school-wide median of $51,673, which means the high earners here likely come from fields not broken out in the program data. Teacher education is the weakest bet: graduates earn $37,748 while carrying the heaviest debt of any listed program at $25,197. You take on the most to earn near the bottom. Communication, design, and management sciences all cluster in the high $36,000s, so none of the top-earning majors listed clears $45,000.
The main risk is regional. Arkadelphia and the surrounding Arkansas market pay teacher and communication salaries that keep early-career earnings modest, so a degree that pays off in a larger metro may not here. If you plan to stay in Arkansas and want education or media work, run the debt math carefully before enrolling.
Net price barely moves across income tiers. Families under $30k pay $19,709, and families over $110k pay $23,523 , a gap of under $4,000. Lower-income families get little price break, so the sticker cost hits you close to full regardless of what you earn.
This school fits you if you want finance or business and can graduate on time. Look elsewhere if you want an education degree and can find a cheaper path to the same classroom salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ouachita Baptist University worth the cost?
With a net price of $22,355 per year and median earnings of $51,673 after 10 years, Ouachita offers moderate value but not exceptional returns. The median debt of $21,050 is manageable, though graduates earn less than many four-year university alumni.
What are the best paying majors at Ouachita Baptist University?
Finance graduates earn the highest at $44,776 annually, while most other programs fall in the $36,000-38,000 range. Education and media studies graduates face below-average earning potential that may not justify the full cost of attendance.
How much debt do Ouachita Baptist University students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $21,050, which is reasonable compared to national averages. However, with many graduates earning in the high $30,000s, loan payments could strain budgets for those in lower-paying fields.
Does Ouachita Baptist University have good job placement after graduation?
The 70% graduation rate suggests some students struggle to complete their programs. While the school provides career services, earning outcomes vary significantly by major, with only finance graduates reaching competitive salary levels.