OU vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (47,980 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); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; University of Houston 22:1.

OU vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or UH? 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 Houston than OU ($14,309 vs. $18,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 17.2% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($11,286 vs. $13,630).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $80 more per year; $9,797.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at OU than at University of Houston (about $4,830 more per year; $27,377.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Houston (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 7.1% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($12,159 vs. $11,356).

OU vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 10 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming OU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UH (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UH (3.46).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 26.5% at UH.

OU vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $300 more per year than UH graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($204 vs. $206).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 61%)

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.