OU vs. SWOSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than SWOSU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 5,186 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); Southwestern Oklahoma State University is in Weatherford, OK (Remote Town setting).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; Southwestern Oklahoma State University 19:1.

OU vs. SWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or SWOSU? 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University than OU ($14,410 vs. $18,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 44% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($7,634 vs. $13,630).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWOSU (about $1,328 more per year; $9,797.00 vs. $8,469.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 222.1% higher at OU than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (about $18,878 more per year; $27,377.00 vs. $8,499.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Southwestern Oklahoma State University students ($11,356 vs. $8,906).

OU vs. SWOSU Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming OU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at SWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; Southwestern Oklahoma State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; SWOSU - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at SWOSU (3.53).

OU vs. SWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and SWOSU? 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Southwestern Oklahoma State University's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than SWOSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $4,313 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($15,687 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, SWOSU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($162 vs. $206).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWOSU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.