KU vs. OU

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

University of Kansas
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: OU (76.6% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 1240 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $19,205 at KU vs $18,574 at OU. KU in-state tuition is about $2,305 more per year.
  • Graduation: KU 61% vs OU 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KU $54,600 vs OU $59,300 (median).
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Key differences

University of Kansas University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Acceptance rate
OU more selective
KU93.5%
OU76.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
OU higher
KU1070-1300
OU1140-1330
Average net price
About even
KU$19,205
OU$18,574
In-state tuition
OU $2,305 less
KU$12,102
OU$9,797
Out-of-state tuition
OU $3,055 less
KU$30,432
OU$27,377
Graduation rate
OU +6 pts
KU61%
OU67%
Median earnings (10 years)
OU +$4,700
KU$54,600
OU$59,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KU 22,363
  • OU 24,893
  • Admitted
  • KU 20,905
  • OU 19,069
  • Acceptance rate
  • KU 93.5%
  • OU 76.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KU 25.5%
  • OU 29.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KU 1190
  • OU 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • KU 24
  • OU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • KU 3.66
  • OU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • KU A-
  • OU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • KU Challenging
  • OU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • KU
  • OU
  • SAT range
  • KU 1070-1300
  • OU 1140-1330
  • ACT range
  • KU 20-28
  • OU 23-29
  • Submit test scores
  • KU Test optional
  • OU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • KU Aug 15, 2027
  • OU Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KU $12,102
  • OU $9,797
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KU $30,432
  • OU $27,377
  • Room & board
  • KU $11,358
  • OU $13,630
  • Average net price
  • KU $19,205
  • OU $18,574
  • Average grant aid
  • KU $11,541
  • OU $11,356
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KU 91%
  • OU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • KU 61%
  • OU 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KU $54,600
  • OU $59,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • KU 66%
  • OU 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KU $20,500
  • OU $20,000
  • Median loan payment
  • KU $211
  • OU $206
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KU 18:1
  • OU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • KU
    • Business (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • OU
    • Business (20%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • School basics

  • Location
  • KU Lawrence, KS
  • OU Norman, OK
  • Setting
  • KU Small City
  • OU Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • KU 29,792
  • OU 30,851
  • Type
  • KU Public 4 Year
  • OU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KU #317
  • OU #245

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kansas in Lawrence, 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 KU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 29,792 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
  • University of Kansas 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 Kansas 18:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 16.7% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($11,358 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at KU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $3,055 more per year; $30,432 vs. $27,377).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at University of Kansas (99% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 1.6% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($11,541 vs. $11,356).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at OU than at KU (26 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both KU and OU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027; OU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman KU students have the same average high school GPA (3.66) as students at OU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 29.3% at OU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than KU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
  • Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KU graduates ($206 vs. $211).
  • More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 66%).

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

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