Arkansas vs. OU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Arkansas 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: University of Arkansas 20:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Arkansas vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 Arkansas than OU ($18,408 vs. $18,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 4.3% lower than at University of Arkansas ($13,630 vs. $14,244).
• University of Arkansas is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $307 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at Arkansas than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $2,589 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Arkansas (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 29% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($11,356 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1240) is 110 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming OU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at OU (3.66).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 29.3% at OU.

Arkansas vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.