KU vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS with University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kansas is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kansas 18:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

KU vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than KU ($8,070 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 3.7% lower than at University of Kansas ($10,940 vs. $11,358).
• University of Kansas is 34.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USAO (about $3,102 more per year; $12,102.00 vs. $9,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.7% higher at KU than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (about $10,242 more per year; $30,432.00 vs. $20,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at University of Kansas (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 13.2% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($13,068 vs. $11,541).

KU vs. USAO Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KU or USAO? 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 USAO and KU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is the same as at USAO (1190).
• Incoming KU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at USAO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 1070/1300; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 20/28; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KU - Test optional; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027; USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at USAO (3.43).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 35.7% at USAO.

KU vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KU and USAO? 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 Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 54%)

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.