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University of Tulsa is a reputable private university in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the Tulsa metro area. It is a mid-sized university with around 2,450 undergraduates. Admissions are moderately competitive because Tulsa's acceptance rate is around 58%. Some of the most popular majors include Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Biology, and Mechanical Engineering. The six-year graduation rate is around 72%, and Tulsa graduates have a median starting salary of around INR 50,00,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from $59,200 median earnings)2.
University of Oklahoma is a well-known public university located in Norman, Oklahoma in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. It is a large institution with an enrollment of around 22,046 undergraduate students. The admissions are open, with Oklahoma's acceptance rate around 76%. Some popular majors are Business, Engineering, Communication, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is around 69%, and the median starting salary for University of Oklahoma graduates is around INR 50,80,000 (converted from $59,648 median earnings a decade after graduation)4.
| University of Tulsa | University of Oklahoma | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.2 Out of 10 | 4.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 501 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1001 QS World University 2026 # 501 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 664 QS World University 2026 # 317 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 701 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 136 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 111 for Law by US News 2024 | # 110 for Engineering by US News 2024 # 501 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 59 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -41 PG Programs -21 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -107 PG Programs -73 Doctorate Programs -40 |
| Acceptance Rate | 58.0 % | 77.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-1150 TOEFL-70 | Duolingo-100 IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 41698 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 38160 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 13444 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 28500 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19966 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15798 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Ranking 2020: 301 – 500; As per 2018-19 report – Average Salary Offered: 51,034 USD for bachelors and 66,129 USD for masters, 63.1% of graduates working and 26.9% continued higher studies; Top employers were Saudi Aramco, Haliburton, Honeywell, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Philips 66, etc. | The average full-time salary for a Price College of Business student was $56,949. Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Masters of Arts: $93,000 MBA: $89,000 Bachelor of Arts: $48,000 Other Degree: $37,000 |
| application requirements | Counselor or teacher recommendation letters, Personal Essay, Interview for UG admission; Minimum 83% for graduate admission | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 79 for Business by US News 2025 # 601 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 60 for Business by Bloomberg 2024 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 56/90TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 120/160GMAT - 590/800GRE - 320/340IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -26449 |
| application dates | Feb 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Dec 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Spring 2027 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Tulsa | University of Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 18:1 |
| Male:Female | 57% Male, 43% Female | 48% Male, 52% Female |
| Location Facts | Campus is located at Dietler Commons, also known as “The U”; Football stadium of the university is situated at historic US Route 66, popularly known as America’s “Mother Road” | The Norman campus has three sections: north campus, main campus, and south campus. The main campus is bordered by Boyd Street on the north, Timberdell Road on the south, Chautauqua Avenue on the west, and Jenkins Avenue on the east. |
| Library | 2 libraries: McFarlin and Mabee Legal Information Center having more than 4 million items; McFarlin has 991,000 volumes, 682,157 titles, 450,000 e-books, 54,000 electronic periodicals, 9,900 videos and 11,900 recordings | Bizzell Memorial Library, the main library on the Norman campus, consists of an original building constructed in 1929 and a large addition completed in 1958. The collections in the libraries total more than 6 million volumes, including 1.3 million eBooks, 3.6 million microform materials and 116,000 serials subscriptions. The libraries also maintain over 17,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archives, 1.6 million photographs, and more than 1.5 million maps. |
| Campus Life | University has various clubs, organizations and sports team; Food Court at Student Union offers Asian food, pasta, pizza, prime rib, fruits, vegetables, etc; Campus has a Counselling Services Center, Student Academic Support, Alexander Health Services, and Career Services | The University of Oklahoma has one of the best student life experiences of any public university in the nation. At least, that’s what The Princeton Review thought when it ranked OU as one of the happiest student bodies! It’s little wonder that Sooners are so happy. One stroll around our beautiful historic campus is enough to see why so many fall in love with the university. Our vibrant community offers something for everyone. At OU, not only will you receive a top education, you’ll make lifelong friends and become a unique part of the diverse OU family. At OU, you’ll find your home. OU's outstanding tradition in athletics brings an exciting vitality to the Norman campus! Across all sports, OU claims 38 total national titles, and students receive free admission to all athletic events, with the exception of football and men’s basketball. Campus Activities Council puts together campus-wide events, festivities, and fundraisers, while the Student Government Association (SGA) serves to advocate for undergraduate and graduate organizations and students' voices. Students can stay fit at Sarkeys Fitness Center! Conveniently located near the residence halls, this recreation area is great for exercise, weight lifting, racket sports, basketball, volleyball, rock climbing, and fitness classes such as yoga, kickboxing, and more. |
| Hostel | #On Campus - $2980 #Single Room - $3488 #On campus - $6976 | #Housing & Food - $15798 |
| Famous Alumni | Doug McMillon (Walmart CEO); Ted Berrigan (New York School poet); SE Hinton (author of Outsiders); Rue McClanahan (Golden Gils actress); Daniel H Wilson (author and roboticist); Hani Abdulaziz Al Hussein (Kuwaiti Petroleum Company CEO); Steve Bracey (NBA Basketball player); HE Suhail Al Mazroui (Minister of Energy and Industry for UAE); Phill McGraw (TV personality); Paul Harvey (radio legend) | Howard Bluestein, atmospheric scientist Vickey Ray Anderson, former professional football player |
| City Life | Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second-largest city; Has been known as the “oil capital of the world” for almost 6 decades; Gilcrease Museum of the city has world’s largest collection of arts and artifacts including a handwritten copy of Declaration of Independence; Unemployment rate in January 2020 was 3.2%; America’s busiest inland river port “Tulsa Port of Catoosa” is situated here | With more than 110,000 residents, Norman has the advantages of small-city living along with easy access to the large city. Little River State Park and Thunderbird Lake, which are within the city limits, are a haven for swimming, water-skiing, sailing, fishing, and camping. The cost of living in Norman is among the lowest in the nation. Oklahoma City is another source of cultural, recreational and sports entertainment. Attractions include the Oklahoma Arts Center, the Oklahoma Museum of Art, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and Ballet Oklahoma. This major metropolitan center also offers the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage center, the Oklahoma City Zoo, the Kirkpatrick Omniplex (science museum) and Omnidome Theatre, and many other museums, theme parks, and attractions. Its diverse ethnic mix supports a variety of markets, restaurants and festivals. |
| Weather |
University of Tulsa vs University of Oklahoma
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa are well-recognized institutions within the state of Oklahoma, albeit very different in terms of scope and international recognition. University of Oklahoma places at around 664th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, while University of Tulsa takes a position between 1001–12002. In Times Higher Education rankings, Tulsa falls between 501–600, while Oklahoma ranks higher nationally but lower internationally.
In area-specific strengths, Tulsa excels in Petroleum Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Business, with strong niche programs in energy and law. Oklahoma, as a bigger public university, is more widely spread in its academic offerings and is very strong in Meteorology, Engineering, Journalism, and Public Affairs. Tulsa's programs are more specialized and research-oriented, whereas Oklahoma's size facilitates a broader range of disciplines and applied learning.
General Information
The University of Tulsa, which was established in 1894, is a private university in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a campus covering 209 acres and having a student enrollment of approximately 3,5594. The University of Oklahoma, which was founded in 1890, is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma, with a huge 3,000-acre campus and having a student enrollment of around 29,1451.
Tulsa provides a more personal educational setting with a low faculty-to-student ratio and one-on-one learning. Oklahoma, on the other hand, offers the traditional big-campus experience with large facilities, Division I sports, and lively student life.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Admissions to both universities are available relative to elite institutions. The acceptance rate at Tulsa is approximately 58%, and at Oklahoma is about 76%. Tulsa students generally score 1150–1490 SAT and 24–33 ACT, whereas Oklahoma's admitted students score an average of 1140–1330 SAT and 23–29 ACT.
Tulsa is dedicated to academic quality and comprehensive consideration, particularly for endowed scholarships. Oklahoma provides greater access and robust support to in-state students, with an abundance of undergraduate and graduate offerings.
Research Impact & Facilities
Tulsa's research is directed and industry-relevant, with strong clusters in energy, cybersecurity, and AI-related real estate innovation. The institution fosters undergraduate research through programs such as the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC), and partners with entities such as the Mellon Foundation and IBM.
Oklahoma's research cuts across disciplines, such as medicine, engineering, public health, and atmospheric sciences, with a vibrant research presence at OU-Tulsa and the Norman campus. Its size permits wider interdisciplinary collaboration and community outreach.
Cost & Financial Aid
Tulsa is a private institution with a tuition of about $46,932, whereas Oklahoma, being a public one, has an in-state tuition of $5,070 and an out-of-state tuition of $22,140. Tulsa's average net price is $23,681, and that of Oklahoma is $19,900, hence OU is cheaper in general.
Still, Tulsa is extremely generous with financial aid, granting 100% of students aid and an average package of $39,719, far more than Oklahoma's $10,830 average. Tulsa's assistance can help to counterbalance its sticker price, particularly for high-achieving students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Both institutions have positive career outcomes. Tulsa graduates receive a median salary of about $59,200, and Oklahoma graduates a median salary of about $59,300 ten years after graduation. Tulsa's alumni excel in engineering, law, and business, with high rates of placement and individualized career guidance through CaneCareers.
Oklahoma's alumni network is immense and powerful, with significant presence in government, media, energy, and education. The university's Career Center provides comprehensive resources, including Handshake, career fairs, and employer partnerships, assisting thousands of students each year.
