LSU vs. OU

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• Louisiana 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: Louisiana State University 21:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

LSU vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU 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 LSU ($18,574 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 10% lower than at Louisiana State University ($13,630 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 22% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $2,157 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at LSU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $1,254 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Louisiana State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 24.1% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($14,094 vs. $11,356).

LSU vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU 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 LSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 20 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming LSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at OU (3.66).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 29.3% at OU.

LSU vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU 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 Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than LSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $900 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($206 vs. $216).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 67%)

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.