NWOSU vs. OU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK 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 NWOSU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 2,079 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern Oklahoma State University is located in Alva, OK (Remote Town setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• Northwestern Oklahoma 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: Northwestern Oklahoma State University 15:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

NWOSU vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NWOSU 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 Northwestern Oklahoma State University than OU ($10,492 vs. $18,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 58% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($5,720 vs. $13,630).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is 64.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NWOSU (about $3,827 more per year; $9,797.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.7% higher at OU than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (about $15,713 more per year; $27,377.00 vs. $11,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 26% larger than aid received by Northwestern Oklahoma State University students ($11,356 vs. $9,011).

NWOSU vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NWOSU 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 NWOSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1240) is 320 points higher than at NWOSU (920).
• Incoming OU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 18 at NWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern Oklahoma State University 803/1036; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16/21; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NWOSU - Required; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at NWOSU (3.42).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than NWOSU (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.7% at NWOSU vs. 29.3% at OU.

NWOSU vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NWOSU 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 Northwestern Oklahoma State University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than NWOSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $5,685 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($14,315 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, NWOSU graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($148 vs. $206).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NWOSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 55%)

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.