OU vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

OU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or SU? 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 SU ($18,574 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 9.6% lower than at Southwestern University ($13,630 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 449.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $44,016 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.6% higher at SU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $26,436 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus as at Southwestern University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 209.6% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($35,162 vs. $11,356).

OU vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1240) is 20 points higher than at SU (1220).
• Incoming SU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at SU (3.5).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 13.8% at SU.

OU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $57,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $6,893 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($206 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.