OU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

OU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($18,574 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 2% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($13,356 vs. $13,630).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $4,015 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Tennessee than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $5,879 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 0.7% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($11,434 vs. $11,356).

OU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 50 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming Tennessee 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; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have the same average high school GPA (3.66) as students at Tennessee (3.66).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

OU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville and OU graduates have the same median loan debt ($20,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, The University of Tennessee Knoxville and OU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($206 vs. $206).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.