OU vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 12,116 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

OU vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or SMU? 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 SMU ($18,574 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 28.5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($13,630 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 584.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $57,243 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.9% higher at SMU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $39,663 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Southern Methodist University (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 230.4% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($37,520 vs. $11,356).

OU vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OU or SMU? 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 SMU and OU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 180 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming SMU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SMU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at OU (3.66).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than SMU (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 17.8% at SMU.

OU vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and SMU? 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).

• Southern Methodist University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than OU graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.