Earning recognition as the top private university in Arkansas as well as being listed nationally among “Best for the Money” universities, Ouachita Baptist University continues to be ranked among the nation’s top universities by Forbes magazine, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today/CollegeFactual.com and Niche.com.

This year’s state and national rankings for Ouachita include being:
Ranked as the No. 1 private university in Arkansas by Niche.com. Ouachita also was cited as the top university in the state by Niche in several other categories, including best liberal arts college, best Christian college, best small college, best value and safest college campus.
Listed by Niche.com in the top 5 percent nationally for residence halls, with that ranking based on “outstanding campus housing that is safe and clean with modern amenities at reasonable prices.”
Recognized in the top 5 percent nationally as “Best for the Money” by USA Today/CollegeFactual.com. Those rankings also included Ouachita in the top 10 percent nationally for its biology, chemistry, communications, history, philosophy, Christian studies and theatre arts programs and in the top 15 percent among NCAA Division II schools for student-athlete scholars in both football and volleyball.
Named among “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes for the ninth consecutive year.
Listed among “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report for the seventh year in a row.

Citing Ouachita’s largest growth in freshman enrollment in recent years, Ouachita President Ben Sells said, “Along with reporting a 17.9% increase in first-time freshmen, we are pleased that Ouachita has been recognized by several organizations for our commitment to academic excellence, outstanding value and quality residential life. It provides additional affirmation of Ouachita rising from strength to strength as we seek to foster a love of God and a love of learning.

“Ouachita’s consistent rankings among the nation’s top schools reflect the dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” Dr. Sells added. “We continue to seek to enhance the value of a Ouachita education through a variety of initiatives designed to benefit students and families.”

Ouachita offers more than 60 academic programs in the university’s seven academic schools. Among new majors are biophysics, community and family services, finance, music industry and social justice studies.

The university’s emphasis on high-impact learning experiences includes such opportunities as participating in summer science research projects, managing $1 million of the university’s endowment and participating in the Sundance Film Festival as well as hands-on labs, internships and study abroad opportunities.

“Our goal is to equip our students through high-impact learning opportunities in an environment that prepares them to make an impact in their careers, communities and churches,” Dr. Sells added. “We invite prospective students to consider the many benefits of earning an outstanding liberal arts education in Ouachita’s Christ-centered learning community.”

Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., is in its 132nd year as a leading Christian liberal arts university. For more information, call 1-800-DIAL-OBU or visit www.obu.edu.