Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University has announced its Spring 2026 enrollment of 1,822 students, reflecting continued momentum in graduate programs and strong undergraduate retention.

“Families in our region have long known Ouachita for its quality undergraduate education,” said Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita’s president. “With the additional growth of our graduate programs, I’m thankful we’re able to extend our mission to help even more people connect a love of God with a love of learning.”

Graduate enrollment has reached 168 students this spring, a 50% increase over Spring 2025. Leading the growth are the university’s Master of Education in curriculum and instruction, an online Master of Arts in counseling, and Arkansas’ first master’s programs in applied behavior analysis. The university also offers graduate degrees in business, nutrition & dietetics and exercise science.

“Our graduate programs combine rigorous academic training in a Christian environment with the flexibility working professionals need,” Sells said. “Whether equipping teachers to invest in their students or developing the next generation of business leaders in our MBA, we’re helping students grow both professionally and personally.”

Ouachita’s undergraduate residential enrollment stands at 1,502, sustained by a fall-to-spring persistence rate of 92.7%. The university continues to expand undergraduate degree programs and facilities, including the newly renovated 10,000-square-foot Whisenhunt Nursing Education Center.

Total enrollment for the Spring and includes undergraduate residential students, graduate students and high school students taking Ouachita courses for concurrent credit.

Ouachita, in its 140th year as a Christ-centered learning community, was ranked Niche’s No. 1 Small College in Arkansas and named AY Magazine's Best Private College in 2025. Learn more about the university's highly relational approach to education at www.obu.edu.

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• Admissions
• Graduate Programs