CU Boulder vs. OU
University of Colorado Boulder and University of Oklahoma Norman Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
At a glance
- Harder to get into: OU (76.6% admitted vs 78.1%). Typical SAT 1240 vs 1340.
- Cheaper after aid: OU. Average net price is $18,574 vs $26,231 at CU Boulder.
- Graduation: CU Boulder 68% vs OU 67%.
- Earnings 10 years out: CU Boulder $56,900 vs OU $59,300 (median).
Acceptance rate
OU more selective
CU Boulder78.1%
OU76.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CU Boulder higher
CU Boulder1240-1430
OU1140-1330
Average net price
OU $7,657 less
CU Boulder$26,231
OU$18,574
In-state tuition
OU $5,869 less
CU Boulder$15,666
OU$9,797
Out-of-state tuition
OU $17,541 less
CU Boulder$44,918
OU$27,377
Graduation rate
CU Boulder +1 pts
CU Boulder68%
OU67%
Median earnings (10 years)
OU +$2,400
CU Boulder$56,900
OU$59,300
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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CU Boulder My Chances
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OU My Chances
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- Applied
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CU Boulder 67,286
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OU 24,893
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- Admitted
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CU Boulder 52,539
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OU 19,069
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- Acceptance rate
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CU Boulder 78.1%
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OU 76.6%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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CU Boulder 14.1%
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OU 29.3%
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- Typical SAT score
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CU Boulder 1340
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OU 1240
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- Typical ACT score
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CU Boulder 31
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OU 26
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- Average high school GPA
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CU Boulder 3.68
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OU 3.66
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- Typical high school grades
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CU Boulder A-
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OU A-
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- Admissions standards
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CU Boulder Very High
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OU Difficult
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- Applicant competition
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CU Boulder
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OU
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- SAT range
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CU Boulder 1240-1430
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OU 1140-1330
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- ACT range
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CU Boulder 29-33
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OU 23-29
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- Submit test scores
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CU Boulder Test optional
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OU Test optional
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- Application deadline
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CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
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OU Feb 1, 2027
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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CU Boulder $15,666
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OU $9,797
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- Tuition (out of state)
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CU Boulder $44,918
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OU $27,377
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- Room & board
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CU Boulder $18,468
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OU $13,630
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- Average net price
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CU Boulder $26,231
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OU $18,574
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- Average grant aid
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CU Boulder $11,225
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OU $11,356
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- % receiving grant aid
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CU Boulder 53%
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OU 99%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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CU Boulder 68%
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OU 67%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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CU Boulder $56,900
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OU $59,300
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- Making student loan payments
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CU Boulder 73%
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OU 68%
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- Median student loan debt
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CU Boulder $19,500
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OU $20,000
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- Median loan payment
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CU Boulder $201
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OU $206
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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CU Boulder 19:1
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OU 18:1
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- Popular majors
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CU Boulder
- Social Sciences (16%)
- Business (12%)
- Biology (10%)
- Psychology (10%)
- Communication (8%)
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OU
- Business (20%)
- General Studies (13%)
- Communication (9%)
- Engineering (8%)
- Social Sciences (7%)
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School basics
- School
- CU Boulder University of Colorado Boulder
- Location
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CU Boulder Boulder, CO
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OU Norman, OK
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- Setting
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CU Boulder Small City
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OU Small Suburban
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- Total enrollment
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CU Boulder 38,799
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OU 30,851
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- Type
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CU Boulder Public 4 Year
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OU Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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CU Boulder #199
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OU #245
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Comparable Facts
Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in Norman, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
University of Colorado Boulder is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 30,851 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
- University of Colorado Boulder 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: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 26.2% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,630 vs. $18,468).
- Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $17,541 more per year; $44,918 vs. $27,377).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Colorado Boulder (99% vs. 53%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 1.2% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($11,356 vs. $11,225).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at CU Boulder than at OU (31 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CU Boulder and OU.
- Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
- Enrolled first-year students at CU Boulder average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at OU (3.66).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 29.3% at OU.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than OU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,000).
- Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OU graduates ($201 vs. $206).
- More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (73% 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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