OU vs. SMU

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SMU (63.3% admitted vs 76.6%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: OU. Average net price is $18,574 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: OU 67% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: OU $59,300 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
SMU more selective
OU76.6%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
OU1140-1330
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
OU $29,605 less
OU$18,574
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
OU $57,243 less
OU$9,797
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
OU $39,663 less
OU$27,377
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
SMU +8 pts
OU67%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$13,700
OU$59,300
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • OU 24,893
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • OU 19,069
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • OU 76.6%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • OU 29.3%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • OU 1240
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • OU 26
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • OU 3.66
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • OU A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • OU Difficult
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • OU
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • OU 1140-1330
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • OU 23-29
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • OU Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • OU Feb 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • OU $9,797
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • OU $27,377
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • OU $13,630
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • OU $18,574
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • OU $11,356
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • OU 99%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • OU 67%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • OU $59,300
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • OU 68%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • OU $20,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • OU $206
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • OU 18:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • OU
    • Business (20%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • OU Norman, OK
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • OU Small Suburban
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • OU 30,851
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • OU Public 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • OU #245
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is larger than SMU based on total student enrollment (30,851 students vs. 12,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are 28.5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($13,630 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 144.9% higher at SMU than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $39,663 more per year; $67,040 vs. $27,377).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Southern Methodist University (99% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 230.4% larger than aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students ($37,520 vs. $11,356).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at SMU than at OU (32 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both OU and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SMU average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at OU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at OU vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($206 vs. $222).
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (76% 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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