Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Ouachita Baptist University

Open-data reference.

We found 8 schools structurally similar to Ouachita Baptist University that cost less. 8 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Ouachita Baptist University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas · Private Nonprofit

$22,409
Net Price
$51,673
Median Earnings (10yr)
67.5%
Acceptance Rate
66.0%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita Baptist University posts an average net price of $22,409 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Ouachita Baptist University across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 8 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $8,011, achieved by Bowdoin College at $14,398. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 8 of the 8 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Ouachita Baptist University’s $51,673, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $82,522.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

8
Alternatives Found
$8,011
Max Savings
8
Better Value Options
55%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Virginia Military Institute $77k 2. Pomona College $78k 3. Bowdoin College $83k 4. Davidson College $81k 5. Williams College $89k Compared to Ouachita Baptist University: $52k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · Public Better Value
$17,113 -$5,296 $77,369 78.9% 55%
Pomona College
Claremont, CA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$19,285 -$3,124 $77,779 93.2% 54%
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$14,398 -$8,011 $82,735 95.4% 50%
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$17,379 -$5,030 $81,400 91.5% 50%
Williams College
Williamstown, MA · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$17,716 -$4,693 $88,665 95.1% 46%
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY · Public Better Value
$22,367 -$42 $95,951 69.5% 41%
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$17,180 -$5,229 $80,490 89.5% 40%
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$15,564 -$6,845 $75,790 81.6% 40%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Ouachita Baptist University are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Ouachita Baptist University?
We found 8 schools similar to Ouachita Baptist University that cost less. The closest match is Virginia Military Institute with 55% similarity and a net price of $17,113.
What is the ROI of attending Ouachita Baptist University?
Ouachita Baptist University has an average net price of $22,409. Former students earn a median of $51,673 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 2.3x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Ouachita Baptist University for less money?
Yes - 8 of 8 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Virginia Military Institute costs $17,113 (saving $5,296) with median earnings of $77,369.
What is the cheapest alternative to Ouachita Baptist University?
The most affordable similar school is Bowdoin College at $14,398, saving $8,011 compared to Ouachita Baptist University. It has a 50% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 8 alternatives have an average median earnings of $82,522 compared to Ouachita Baptist University's $51,673. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.