OU vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

OU vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or TCU? 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 TCU ($18,574 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 18.4% lower than at Texas Christian University ($13,630 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 530.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $51,943 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.5% higher at TCU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $34,363 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Texas Christian University (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 208% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($34,975 vs. $11,356).

OU vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 10 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming TCU 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; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• 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 (76.6%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 24.7% at TCU.

OU vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and TCU? 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).

• Texas Christian University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $57,600), 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 TCU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.