According to the most recent figures, tuition at Ouachita Baptist University rose by 3.5% for the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Students enrolled at the private, four-year nonprofit institution paid $31,180 this year, which is $1,040 higher than the $30,140 charged during the 2021-22 academic year.
Approximately 63% of the undergraduate students at the university are residents of Arkansas. Students from other states make up about 35%, while international students account for 2%.
Data indicates that every full-time undergraduate who began studies at Ouachita Baptist University in 2022-23 received some form of financial aid. A total of 445 students were awarded grants or scholarships amounting to $10.3 million, and 316 students secured student loans exceeding $2.2 million.
Across the entire undergraduate body, 1,547 students benefited from grants or scholarships totaling $40.5 million. Additionally, 839 students obtained $4.3 million in federal student loans.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
The following data includes only full-time students who began an undergraduate program at the Ouachita Baptist University in the 2022-23 school year.
| Type of Aid | Number of students awarded aid | Percent awarded aid | Total amount of aid awarded | Average amount of aid per student |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal grants | 106 | 24% | $613,604 | $5,789 |
| State / local grant or scholarship | 249 | 56% | $588,000 | $2,361 |
| Institutional grants or scholarships | 445 | 100% | $9.1 million | $20,373 |
| Grant or scholarship aid total | 445 | 100% | $10.3 million | $23,073 |
| Federal student loans | 313 | 70% | $1.7 million | $5,458 |
| Other student loans | 34 | 8% | $478,970 | $14,087 |
| Student loan aid | 316 | 71% | $2.2 million | $6,921 |
| Total student aid | 445 | 100% | $12.5 million | $27,988 |
Information in this story was obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics. The source data can be found here.
