K-State vs. OU

Kansas State University and University of Oklahoma Norman Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Kansas State University
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: OU (76.6% admitted vs 81.7%). Typical SAT 1240 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: OU. Average net price is $18,574 vs $20,527 at K-State.
  • Graduation: K-State 56% vs OU 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: K-State $49,700 vs OU $59,300 (median).
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Key differences

Kansas State University University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Acceptance rate
OU more selective
K-State81.7%
OU76.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
OU higher
K-State1060-1260
OU1140-1330
Average net price
OU $1,953 less
K-State$20,527
OU$18,574
In-state tuition
OU $1,424 less
K-State$11,221
OU$9,797
Out-of-state tuition
OU $1,191 less
K-State$28,568
OU$27,377
Graduation rate
OU +11 pts
K-State56%
OU67%
Median earnings (10 years)
OU +$9,600
K-State$49,700
OU$59,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • K-State 15,509
  • OU 24,893
  • Admitted
  • K-State 12,669
  • OU 19,069
  • Acceptance rate
  • K-State 81.7%
  • OU 76.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • K-State 27.5%
  • OU 29.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • K-State 1160
  • OU 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • K-State 23
  • OU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • K-State 3.77
  • OU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • K-State A-
  • OU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • K-State Average
  • OU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • K-State
  • OU
  • SAT range
  • K-State 1060-1260
  • OU 1140-1330
  • ACT range
  • K-State 20-27
  • OU 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • K-State Test optional
  • OU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • K-State
  • OU Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • K-State $11,221
  • OU $9,797
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • K-State $28,568
  • OU $27,377
  • Room & board
  • K-State $12,830
  • OU $13,630
  • Average net price
  • K-State $20,527
  • OU $18,574
  • Average grant aid
  • K-State $9,270
  • OU $11,356
  • % receiving grant aid
  • K-State 92%
  • OU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • K-State 56%
  • OU 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • K-State $49,700
  • OU $59,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • K-State 70%
  • OU 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • K-State $22,500
  • OU $20,000
  • Median loan payment
  • K-State $232
  • OU $206
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • K-State 19:1
  • OU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • K-State
    • Business (17%)
    • Agriculture (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • OU
    • Business (20%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • K-State Manhattan, KS
  • OU Norman, OK
  • Setting
  • K-State Remote Town
  • OU Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • K-State 20,295
  • OU 30,851
  • Type
  • K-State Public 4 Year
  • OU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • K-State #510
  • OU #245

Comparable Facts

Compare Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than K-State based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 20,295 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
  • Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kansas State University 19:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 5.9% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($12,830 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at K-State than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $1,191 more per year; $28,568 vs. $27,377).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Kansas State University (99% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($11,356 vs. $9,270).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at OU than at K-State (26 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both K-State and OU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at K-State average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at OU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at K-State vs. 29.3% at OU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($206 vs. $232).
  • More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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