OU vs. TCU

Should I go to University of Oklahoma Norman Campus or Texas Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if OU or TCU 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. Texas Christian University comparison
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Texas Christian University College 3 College 4
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Texas Christian University
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Overview

 OU TCU
Location Norman, OK Fort Worth, TX
Setting Small Suburban Large City
Enrollment 29,145 12,785
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #223 #107
Religious Affiliation - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ou.edu tcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 OU TCU
Tuition (In State) $5,070 $57,130
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $57,130
Room & Board $13,310 $14,800
Avg Net Price $19,900 $39,005
Avg Grant Aid $10,830 $33,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 81%

Admission

 OU TCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,337 20,517
Admitted 17,097 8,740
Acceptance Rate 76.5% 42.6%
Enrolled % 30.4% 28.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 26/31
SAT Range 1140/1330 1150/1375
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

 OU TCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (18%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 OU TCU
Graduation Rate 67% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,300 $57,600
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $206 $222

Diversity

 OU TCU
% Men 10% 6%
% Women 14% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 73%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 9% 11%
% Native American 4% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 0%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 OU TCU
% In-State 50% 44%
% Out-of-State 48% 52%

Campus

 OU TCU
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 TCU based on total student enrollment (29,145 students vs. 12,785 students)

OU vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or TCU?

  • Texas Christian University is 1,026.8% more expensive to attend than OU for in-state tuition ($57,130.00 vs. $5,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 158% higher at TCU than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($57,130.00 vs. $22,140.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than TCU ($19,900 vs. $39,005)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 11.2% lower than costs at Texas Christian University ($13,310 vs. $14,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than Texas Christian University (99% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 212.2% larger than aid received University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($33,813 vs. $10,830)

OU vs. TCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Texas Christian University (1220) is 16 points higher than at OU (1204)
  • Incoming TCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at OU (27)
  • Accepted freshman TCU 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 (76.5%) than TCU (42.6%)

OU vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at TCU is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (74% vs. 67%)
  • Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn on average $1,700 more per year than TCU graduates after ten years. ($59,300 vs. $57,600)
  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than TCU graduates. ($20,000 vs. $21,500)
  • OU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than TCU graduates. ($206 vs. $222)
  • More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/