University of Missouri-Columbia vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Missouri Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia 17:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 University of Missouri-Columbia ($18,574 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 0.5% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($13,630 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 51.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $5,040 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $8,679 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Missouri Columbia (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 16.3% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($13,203 vs. $11,356).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 University of Missouri-Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is the same as at OU (1240).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at OU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 29.3% at OU.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $1,883 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($206 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.