KU vs. OU

Should I go to University of Kansas or Ottawa University Ottawa? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if KU or OU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

K-State ESU University of Missouri-Columbia Nebraska Arkansas Iowa University of Missouri-Kansas City UALR Johnson County Community College OU Baker Washburn University
University of Kansas vs. Ottawa University Ottawa comparison
University of Kansas Ottawa University Ottawa College 3 College 4
University of Kansas
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 KU OU
Location Lawrence, KS Ottawa, KS
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 28,406 1,055
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #291 #822
Religious Affiliation - American Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ku.edu ottawa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 KU OU
Tuition (In State) $10,596 $31,900
Tuition (Out of State) $28,308 $31,900
Room & Board $10,818 $12,160
Avg Net Price $18,322 $28,126
Avg Grant Aid $10,644 $23,215
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

 KU OU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,226 3,600
Admitted 16,958 2,881
Acceptance Rate 88.2% 80%
Enrolled % 31% 10.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.12
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 16/21
SAT Range 1050/1290 880/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 KU OU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (33%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (18%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

 KU OU
Graduation Rate 61% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,600 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $21,875
Median Loan Payment $211 $226

Diversity

 KU OU
% Men 11% 6%
% Women 16% 5%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 61%
% Black 4% 13%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 5%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 14%

Students

 KU OU
% In-State 55% 29%
% Out-of-State 43% 69%

Campus

 KU OU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Kansas is larger than than OU based on total student enrollment (28,406 students vs. 1,055 students)

KU vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or OU?

  • Ottawa University Ottawa is 201.1% more expensive to attend than KU for in-state tuition ($31,900.00 vs. $10,596.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.7% higher at OU than University of Kansas ($31,900.00 vs. $28,308.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than OU ($18,322 vs. $28,126)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 12.4% lower than costs at Ottawa University Ottawa ($10,818 vs. $12,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than University of Kansas (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 118.1% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($23,215 vs. $10,644)

KU vs. OU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KU or OU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between OU or KU .

  • Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at OU (3.12)
  • KU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than OU (80%)

KU vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, KU or OU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between OU and KU.

  • The graduation rate at KU is higher than Ottawa University Ottawa (61% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $8,200 more per year than OU graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $46,400)
  • University of Kansas students graduate with a $1,375 lower median federal student loan debt than OU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,875)
  • KU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than OU graduates. ($211 vs. $226)
  • More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/