Ouachita’s spring enrollment highest in 26 years
February 13, 2023
- Felley LawsonFollowing record fall enrollment, Ouachita Baptist University has reported its highest spring headcount in more than 26 years with a total Spring 2023 enrollment of 1,682.
Ouachita is sustaining momentum in student recruitment and retention; total Ouachita enrollment increased 17% the past six years while many colleges and universities have reported enrollment decreases.
“In addition to record enrollment, our four-year graduation rate is about double that of many public universities, and our placement rate for graduates is 99% compared to a national average of 84%,” said Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president. “These results reflect Ouachita’s commitment to provide rigorous academics in a rich Christian environment, where faculty and staff invest their lives in the lives of students, and students report a strong sense of belonging.”
Total enrollment includes undergraduate residential students, undergraduate online students and graduate students, as well as high school students taking Ouachita courses for concurrent credit.
Ouachita’s 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio is maintained as undergraduate residential degree programs are launched or expanded in high demand fields including nursing, engineering and criminal justice. At 1,473, Ouachita’s undergrad residential enrollment is its highest for any Spring semester in 20 years.
Graduate and online offerings are expanding, too. For example, Ouachita is home to the state’s first Master of Science and Master of Arts degree programs in the rapidly-growing field of applied behavior analysis; Master of Science in exercise science and Master of Business Administration degrees are expected to launch later this year. (The MA in ABA, MBA and BS in engineering are pending approval from Ouachita’s accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission.)
Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university, is in its 137th year as a Christ-centered learning community and is ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about the university’s highly personal approach at www.obu.edu.
Editor's note: Since the publication of this story, HLC has granted approval for this program.
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