Ouachita Stories

Continuing its string of national rankings, Ouachita Baptist University once again has been recognized among the top universities in the nation based on the recent release of annual college rankings by major publications.

This year’s ranking marks the fourth consecutive year that Ouachita has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s top tier of “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges.” It also is the sixth year in a row that Ouachita has been named among “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes magazine.

Ouachita, which moved into U.S. News’ national rankings in 2011, previously was ranked for four years as the No. 1 Regional College in the South. Among this year’s best national liberal arts colleges, Ouachita is one of only three schools in Arkansas ranked by U.S. News in the top tier, along with Hendrix College and Lyon College.

“We are pleased to see Ouachita highly rated by U.S. News and Forbes magazines,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “These recognitions are not a surprise because Ouachita is an outstanding university. It is, however, encouraging to be noticed by others across our country. This is a tribute to our excellent faculty, quality students and dedicated alumni and friends. Ouachita is truly making a difference.”

According to U.S. News, national liberal arts colleges “emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half their degrees in the arts and sciences, which include such disciplines as English, the biological and physical sciences, history, foreign languages and the visual and performing arts.”

Ouachita offers majors in seven academic schools in the disciplines of business, Christian studies, education, fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. The university also is launching Ouachita Online this fall, offering accredited Bachelor of Arts degrees online with majors in business administration and Christian studies.

U.S. News also ranked Ouachita among “A+ Schools for B Students” for the fourth consecutive year – the only national liberal arts college in the state to make the list. According to U.S. News, the A+ ranking features universities where B-level incoming students “have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving – where spirit and hard work could make all the difference.”

According to Forbes, its focus on universities’ output over input sets its annual rankings apart from other evaluations. “We’re not all that interested in what gets a student into college,” Forbes explained. “Our sights are set directly on return on investment: What are students getting out of college?”

In addition to being named among “America’s Top Colleges,” Ouachita ranked in the Top 10 nationally in Forbes’ inaugural #MyTopCollege social media campaign. Ouachita, which ranked No. 8 among universities throughout the nation, is the smallest school among the Top 10 finalists. The campaign involved students, faculty and alumni of universities throughout the nation posting on social media about what makes their university special.

Along with recognition by U.S. News and Forbes, Ouachita also received high marks from CollegeFactual.com, which provides data-driven college choice resources. “These rankings are based on a pure and distinct focus on data,” said Bill Phelan, CEO of College Factual. “We don’t count previous reputations … providing a more unbiased view.”

Ouachita was ranked among the site’s “Best Nationwide Colleges,” including being cited among the best colleges in Arkansas and in the Top 100 among “Best Nationwide Colleges for Your Money.” In that category, CollegeFactual.com highlighted “colleges that deliver a great education compared to their cost.”

The national recognitions come as Ouachita’s 2014-15 academic year is under way with a fall enrollment of 1,501 students. The 2014 fall semester total marks the fifth consecutive year the university’s fall enrollment has exceeded 1,500 students.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, Ark., has served since 1886 as a Christ-centered learning community. For more information, call 1-800-DIAL-OBU, visit www.obu.edu or download Ouachita’s mobile app.

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications