CU Boulder vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

CU Boulder vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder ($18,574 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 26.2% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,630 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 59.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $5,869 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $17,541 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Colorado Boulder (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 1.2% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($11,356 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 100 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at OU (3.66).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 29.3% at OU.

CU Boulder vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($201 vs. $206).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

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.