OU vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

OU vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OU or USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than OU ($8,070 vs. $18,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 19.7% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($10,940 vs. $13,630).
• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USAO (about $797 more per year; $9,797.00 vs. $9,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.6% higher at OU than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (about $7,187 more per year; $27,377.00 vs. $20,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 15.1% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($13,068 vs. $11,356).

OU vs. USAO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (1240) is 50 points higher than at USAO (1190).
• Incoming OU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at USAO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OU - Test optional; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman OU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at USAO (3.43).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 35.7% at USAO.

OU vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OU and USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 54%)

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.