Alabama vs. OU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• The University of Alabama 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: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Alabama vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 Alabama ($18,574 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 9.2% lower than at The University of Alabama ($13,630 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $2,383 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at Alabama than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $6,795 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at The University of Alabama (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 54.1% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($17,503 vs. $11,356).

Alabama vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 50 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming Alabama 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: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at OU (3.66).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 29.3% at OU.

Alabama vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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 The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($206 vs. $245).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

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.