K-State vs. OU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than K-State based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 20,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kansas State University 19:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

K-State vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State or OU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than K-State ($18,574 vs. $20,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 5.9% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($12,830 vs. $13,630).
• Kansas State University is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $1,424 more per year; $11,221.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at K-State than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $1,191 more per year; $28,568.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Kansas State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($11,356 vs. $9,270).

K-State vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, K-State or OU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OU and K-State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1240) is 80 points higher than at K-State (1160).
• Incoming OU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at K-State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 1060/1260; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 20/27; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: K-State - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at OU (3.66).
• K-State has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at K-State vs. 29.3% at OU.

K-State vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for K-State and OU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Kansas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than K-State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $49,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($206 vs. $232).
• More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.