OU vs. NWOSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ottawa University Ottawa in Ottawa, KS with Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (2,079 students vs. 999 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ottawa University Ottawa is located in Ottawa, KS (Distant Town setting); Northwestern Oklahoma State University is in Alva, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ottawa University Ottawa 12:1; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 15:1.

OU vs. NWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or NWOSU? 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. $28,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 58.1% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($5,720 vs. $13,646).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is 501% more expensive for in-state tuition than NWOSU (about $29,910 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 207.6% higher at OU than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (about $24,216 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $11,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 162.9% larger than aid received by Northwestern Oklahoma State University students ($23,692 vs. $9,011).

OU vs. NWOSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OU or NWOSU? 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 NWOSU and OU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (920) is 40 points higher than at OU (880).
• Incoming OU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at NWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 750/1000; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 803/1036.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ottawa University Ottawa 16/22; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; NWOSU - Required.
• Accepted freshman NWOSU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at OU (3.12).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than NWOSU (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at OU vs. 38.7% at NWOSU.

OU vs. NWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and NWOSU? 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).

• Ottawa University Ottawa's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Northwestern Oklahoma State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than NWOSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $7,560 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($14,315 vs. $21,875).
• Among borrowers, NWOSU graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($148 vs. $226).
• More NWOSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 46%)

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.