UIC vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago 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 Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

UIC vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 Illinois Chicago than OU ($10,852 vs. $18,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 17.4% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($13,630 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $4,541 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at UIC than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $2,507 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Illinois Chicago (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 47.5% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($16,755 vs. $11,356).

UIC vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is the same as at OU (1240).
• Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 29.3% at OU.

UIC vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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 Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than OU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($193 vs. $206).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.