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Texas A&M Arkansas K-State Oklahoma State University-Main Campus UT Dallas Alabama LSU University of Missouri-Columbia UT Austin Texas Tech Baylor ESU| University of Kansas | University of Oklahoma Norman Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
KU | OU | ||
| Location | Lawrence, KS | Norman, OK | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 28,406 | 29,145 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #291 | #223 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ku.edu | ou.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
KU | OU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,596 | $5,070 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $28,308 | $22,140 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,818 | $13,310 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $18,322 | $19,900 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,644 | $10,830 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 89% | 99% |
Admission |
KU | OU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 19,226 | 22,337 | ||
| Admitted | 16,958 | 17,097 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 88.2% | 76.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31% | 30.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.66 | 3.66 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 23/29 | ||
| SAT Range | 1050/1290 | 1140/1330 | ||
| 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, 2026 | Feb 1, 2026 |
Academics |
KU | OU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
KU | OU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 61% | 67% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,600 | $59,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 68% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,500 | $20,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $211 | $206 |
Diversity |
KU | OU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 11% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 16% | 14% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 72% | 62% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 9% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 7% | ||
| % International | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
KU | OU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 55% | 50% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 43% | 48% | ||
Campus |
KU | OU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than than KU based on total student enrollment (29,145 students vs. 28,406 students)
KU vs. OU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, KU or OU?
- University of Kansas is 109% more expensive to attend than OU for in-state tuition ($10,596.00 vs. $5,070.00)
- Out of state tuition is 27.9% higher at KU than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($28,308.00 vs. $22,140.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than OU ($18,322 vs. $19,900)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 23% lower than costs at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($10,818 vs. $13,310)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than University of Kansas (99% vs. 89%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 1.7% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($10,830 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 .
- The average SAT score at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1204) is 59 points higher than at KU (1145)
- Incoming OU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at KU (25)
- Accepted freshman KU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.66) as students at OU (3.66)
- KU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than OU (76.5%)
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 OU is higher than University of Kansas (67% vs. 61%)
- Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn on average $4,700 more per year than KU graduates after ten years. ($59,300 vs. $54,600)
- University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than KU graduates. ($20,000 vs. $20,500)
- OU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than KU graduates. ($206 vs. $211)
- More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU 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/