Iowa vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Iowa 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 Iowa 16:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Iowa vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 Iowa ($18,574 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 5.2% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($12,920 vs. $13,630).
• University of Iowa is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $1,486 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at Iowa than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $5,994 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Iowa (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 15.1% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($11,356 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1240) is 10 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming OU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at OU (3.66).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 29.3% at OU.

Iowa vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $500 more per year than OU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $1,616 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($206 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.