OU vs. SWOSU

Should I go to University of Oklahoma Norman Campus or Southwestern Oklahoma State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if OU or SWOSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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University of Oklahoma Norman Campus vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State University comparison
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Southwestern Oklahoma State University College 3 College 4
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Southwestern Oklahoma State University
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Overview

 OU SWOSU
Location Norman, OK Weatherford, OK
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 29,145 4,811
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #223 #1037
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ou.edu swosu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 OU SWOSU
Tuition (In State) $5,070 $6,969
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $6,999
Room & Board $13,310 $7,410
Avg Net Price $19,900 $14,761
Avg Grant Aid $10,830 $8,745
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 93%

Admission

 OU SWOSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,337 1,689
Admitted 17,097 1,689
Acceptance Rate 76.5% 100%
Enrolled % 30.4% 43.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 18/23
SAT Range 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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

 OU SWOSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (28%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (5%)

Outcomes

 OU SWOSU
Graduation Rate 67% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,300 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,000 $15,687
Median Loan Payment $206 $162

Diversity

 OU SWOSU
% Men 10% 4%
% Women 14% 13%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 67%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 9% 8%
% Native American 4% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 OU SWOSU
% In-State 50% 91%
% Out-of-State 48% 7%

Campus

 OU SWOSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than than SWOSU based on total student enrollment (29,145 students vs. 4,811 students)

OU vs. SWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or SWOSU?

  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University is 37.5% more expensive to attend than OU for in-state tuition ($6,969.00 vs. $5,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 216.3% higher at OU than Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($22,140.00 vs. $6,999.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwestern Oklahoma State University than OU ($14,761 vs. $19,900)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 79.6% lower than costs at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($7,410 vs. $13,310)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than Southwestern Oklahoma State University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 23.8% larger than aid received Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($10,830 vs. $8,745)

OU vs. SWOSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OU or SWOSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SWOSU or OU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1204) is 214 points higher than at SWOSU (990)
  • Incoming OU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at SWOSU (21)
  • Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at SWOSU (3.53)
  • SWOSU has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than OU (76.5%)

OU vs. SWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, OU or SWOSU? 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 SWOSU and OU.

  • The graduation rate at OU is higher than Southwestern Oklahoma State University (67% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn on average $10,700 more per year than SWOSU graduates after ten years. ($59,300 vs. $48,600)
  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University students graduate with a $4,313 lower median federal student loan debt than OU graduates. ($15,687 vs. $20,000)
  • SWOSU graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans 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/