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Ouachita Baptist University vs John Brown University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Arkadelphia AR · vs · Private nonprofit, Siloam Springs AR

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

John Brown University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $81,588 in 14.7 years versus 27.1 years at Ouachita Baptist University, on median earnings of $53,907 vs $51,673 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOuachita Baptist UniversityJohn Brown University
Net price / yr$22,409$20,397
Total net cost$89,636$81,588
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,673$53,907
Median debt$21,050$21,250
Payback27.1 yrs14.7 yrs
20-year net return-$23,376$29,352

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Ouachita Baptist University or John Brown University?

John Brown University, at $20,397 a year after aid versus $22,409 — a gap of $2,012 a year, or $8,048 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ouachita Baptist University or John Brown University graduates earn more?

John Brown University graduates report a median $53,907 ten years after entry, $2,234 more than the $51,673 at Ouachita Baptist University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Ouachita Baptist University or John Brown University?

Ouachita Baptist University: its completers carry a median $21,050 in federal loans versus $21,250 at John Brown University, a difference of $200. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at John Brown University, against 61% at Ouachita Baptist University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Ouachita Baptist University vs John Brown University: frequently asked questions

Is Ouachita Baptist University or John Brown University a better value?
John Brown University. It clears its $81,588 net cost in about 14.7 years versus 27.1 years at Ouachita Baptist University, on median earnings of $53,907 vs $51,673 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ouachita Baptist University or John Brown University?
John Brown University: $20,397/yr net price after aid versus $22,409/yr at Ouachita Baptist University — a difference of $2,012 a year, or about $8,048 over four years.
Do Ouachita Baptist University or John Brown University graduates earn more?
John Brown University graduates earn a median $53,907 ten years after entry, versus $51,673 at Ouachita Baptist University — a $2,234 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.