U of O vs U of A

Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, the University of Oregon (UO) and the University of Arizona (UA) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence, vibrant student life, and breathtaking surroundings. While both universities share a commitment to providing a transformative educational experience, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover the nuances that set these two institutions apart and make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of Arizona	University of Oregon
Overview
Location	Tucson, Arizona	Eugene, Oregon
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	84.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	87.3%	93.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $85	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $70
SAT range	1120 - 1370	N/A
ACT range	21 - 29	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	19.0%
Total number of applicants	48,065	31,558
Total number of admissions given out	41,946	29,483
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,436	4,589
Yield rate	20.1%	15.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,136 Out of state: $54,658	In state: $28,404 Out of state: $54,447
Average net price	$17,242	$18,556
Tuition	In state: $11,299 Out of state: $35,821	In state: $11,974 Out of state: $38,017
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,400 Meal plan: $5,050	$13,509
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $13,790	63.0% Average amount $13,590
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $4,845	32.0% Average amount $5,093
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $20,814	4.0% Average amount $28,121

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	37,434 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%	18,602 Men 44.5% Women 55.5%
Graduate students	10,840 Men 44.5% Women 55.5%	3,655 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	48.8%	54.8%
International students	6.5%	4.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	7,036	5,523
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado	Oregon California Washington Colorado Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Engineering Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Social Sciences Architecture
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	64.3%	74.4%
Dropout rate	14.3%	8.7%
Transferred out	19.6%	16.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Physics (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $88,673 Year 2: $123,527 Year 3: $127,192 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $110,426 Year 2: $117,473 Year 3: $122,962 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $110,630 Year 2: $103,746 Year 3: $104,908 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,116 Year 2: $83,388 Year 3: $98,461 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,677 Year 2: $92,743 Year 3: $98,271 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $96,308 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,806 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $89,884 Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,657 Year 2: $73,035 Year 3: $87,557 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,627 Year 2: $79,199 Year 3: $86,387 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,284 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $83,742	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $89,230 Year 3: $95,616 Physics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,844 Year 2: $75,832 Year 3: $90,800 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $61,666 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $90,002 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,849 Year 2: $86,621 Year 3: $87,239 Chemistry (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,269 Year 2: $72,231 Year 3: $82,154 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,287 Year 2: $61,681 Year 3: $80,277 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,279 Year 2: $59,425 Year 3: $68,549 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $57,062 Year 2: $56,840 Year 3: $67,900 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,838 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $67,123 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,818 Year 2: $55,464 Year 3: $66,741

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Oregon (UO) and the University of Arizona (UA) at a glance?

The University of Oregon (UO) is a public research university located in Eugene, Oregon, known for its strong programs in journalism, law, and architecture. It has a more moderate climate and a smaller student body compared to the University of Arizona (UA). The University of Arizona (UA) is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona, renowned for its programs in astronomy, optical sciences, and biosciences. UA boasts a larger student population and a desert climate.
How do the academic reputations of UO and UA compare?

Both UO and UA are respected research universities. UO is particularly well-regarded for its journalism school and architecture programs. UA is highly recognized for its programs in astronomy, optical sciences, and biosciences, benefiting from its location and research facilities. Both offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but their areas of specific strength differ.
What is the typical campus environment and student life like at each university?

UO's campus in Eugene offers a classic college town atmosphere with a focus on outdoor activities and a strong sense of community. Student life is vibrant, with numerous clubs, organizations, and a passionate sports culture, especially surrounding the Oregon Ducks. UA's campus in Tucson has a more urban feel, with a larger student body and a diverse range of activities. Student life is active, with a strong emphasis on Greek life, research opportunities, and a lively social scene. The Arizona Wildcats sports are also a major part of the campus culture.
How do the climates and surrounding environments differ between Eugene, Oregon, and Tucson, Arizona?

Eugene, Oregon, has a moderate, temperate climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The surrounding environment is lush and green, with forests, rivers, and mountains nearby, offering ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Tucson, Arizona, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The surrounding environment is arid and mountainous, with unique desert landscapes and opportunities for hiking and exploring the Sonoran Desert.
What are the average tuition costs and financial aid opportunities at UO and UA?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency status. Generally, UO and UA have similar tuition rates for in-state students, but out-of-state tuition may differ. Both universities offer a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. It's best to check each university's financial aid website for the most up-to-date information and to explore specific scholarship opportunities based on your academic profile and needs.
Which university is larger, UO or UA?

The University of Arizona (UA) is generally larger than the University of Oregon (UO) in terms of student enrollment. UA typically has a significantly larger undergraduate and graduate student population.
What are the popular majors at each university?

At the University of Oregon, popular majors include Journalism, Business Administration, Psychology, and Biology. At the University of Arizona, popular majors include Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences. Both universities offer a wide range of programs, but these are some of the most commonly pursued fields of study.
How do the athletic programs compare between UO and UA?

Both UO and UA have strong athletic programs and compete in the Pac-12 Conference. UO is particularly known for its football and track and field programs, while UA is renowned for its basketball and baseball programs. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity sports and have a passionate fan base.
What kind of research opportunities are available at UO and UA?

Both UO and UA are research universities with numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UO has strong research programs in areas such as environmental science, neuroscience, and education. UA has renowned research programs in astronomy, optical sciences, and biosciences, benefiting from its unique location and facilities like the Steward Observatory.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare at UO and UA?

Both UO and UA offer comprehensive career services to help students with career exploration, resume writing, interview skills, and job searching. Both universities also have strong internship programs, connecting students with opportunities in various industries. The specific internship opportunities available may vary depending on the student's major and career interests, as well as the local job market in Eugene and Tucson.

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