U of A vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than OSU based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

U of A vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or OSU? 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 Arizona than OSU ($19,055 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 2.1% lower than at University of Arizona ($16,386 vs. $16,746).
• Oregon State University is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $474 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at U of A than at Oregon State University (about $4,088 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $38,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Oregon State University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($13,776 vs. $11,230).

U of A vs. OSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or OSU? 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 OSU and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 20 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming OSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; OSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than OSU (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 20.4% at OSU.

U of A vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and OSU? 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).

• The graduation rate at U of A is the same as at Oregon State University (61% vs. 61%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $100 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($196 vs. $242).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 66%)

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.