University of Tulsa vs University of Arkansas (Uark)

Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa (TU) and the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville, Arkansas, stand as two distinct beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer unique experiences shaped by their distinct histories, locations, and academic strengths. With TU's acceptance rate hovering around 65% and UA's at 72%, prospective students have a higher chance of securing admission to the latter. In terms of student demographics, UA boasts a larger and more diverse student body, with over 27,000 undergraduates hailing from various backgrounds. On the other hand, TU's smaller student population of around 4,500 fosters a close-knit community. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
University of Arkansas logo

University of Arkansas

University of Tulsa logo

University of Tulsa

Overview

Location Fayetteville, Arkansas Tulsa, Oklahoma
Campus setting City: Small City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 87.0% 82.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation Presbyterian

Admission

Acceptance rate 82.7% 75.2%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $60
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $60
SAT range 1050 - 1220 1070 - 1370
ACT range 21 - 28 22 - 29
Students submitting SAT score 26.0% 19.0%
Students submitting ACT score 78.0% 56.0%
Total number of applicants 21,462 5,958
Total number of admissions given out 17,743 4,483
Admitted students who chose to enroll 6,065 583
Yield rate 34.2% 13.0%
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: $26,978

Out of state: $43,794
$65,806
Average net price $15,218 $26,341
Tuition
In state: $7,666

Out of state: $24,482
$44,238
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,744

Meal plan: $4,198
Room/dormitory: $7,184

Meal plan: $6,220
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

65.0%
Average amount $8,362
99.0%
Average amount $34,473
Students receiving federal student loan 38.0%
Average amount $5,442
43.0%
Average amount $5,586
Students taking out private loans 6.0%
Average amount $16,058
13.0%
Average amount $20,841

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 24,265
Men 44.1% Women 55.9%
2,728
Men 50.4% Women 49.6%
Graduate students 4,803
Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
1,104
Men 52.4% Women 47.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 56.6% 45.9%
International students 4.1% 9.3%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Large
Dormitory capacity 6,232 2,614
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Arkansas Texas Missouri Oklahoma Kansas Oklahoma Texas Missouri Arkansas Kansas

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Engineering
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Engineering
  • Legal Profession
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 11:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 69.7% 73.4%
Dropout rate 28.4% 26.0%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $122,450
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $123,792
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,048
  • Year 2: $71,854
  • Year 3: $82,519
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,784
  • Year 2: $69,079
  • Year 3: $80,036
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,033
  • Year 2: $78,343
  • Year 3: $78,844
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,024
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $75,031
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,436
  • Year 2: $68,778
  • Year 3: $74,432
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,594
  • Year 2: $69,524
  • Year 3: $73,914
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,595
  • Year 2: $62,463
  • Year 3: $72,333
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,737
  • Year 2: $58,479
  • Year 3: $68,196
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,418
  • Year 2: $50,606
  • Year 3: $66,051
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $121,440
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $137,366
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $92,170
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,580
  • Year 2: $67,660
  • Year 3: $86,753
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $85,730
  • Year 2: $80,022
  • Year 3: $83,883
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,997
  • Year 2: $67,812
  • Year 3: $65,339
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,250
  • Year 2: $61,020
  • Year 3: $64,639
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,209
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $64,504
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,903
  • Year 2: $44,971
  • Year 3: $62,262
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,175
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $60,736
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $49,019
  • Year 3: $58,191

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the key differences in location and campus environment between the University of Tulsa and the University of Arkansas?

    The University of Tulsa is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a mid-sized city with a more intimate campus feel. The University of Arkansas is situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a city that has grown significantly and offers a more expansive campus environment. Fayetteville provides a broader range of off-campus activities and a more diverse population due to its larger size and the presence of a major state university.

  • How do the academic programs compare at the University of Tulsa and the University of Arkansas?

    Both universities offer a wide array of academic programs. The University of Tulsa is particularly strong in engineering, law, and energy-related fields, often benefiting from its location in an area with a strong energy industry presence. The University of Arkansas boasts strong programs in business, architecture, and agriculture, reflecting the state's economic landscape. Both universities have reputable liberal arts programs.

  • What is the cost of attendance like at the University of Tulsa versus the University of Arkansas?

    The University of Tulsa generally has a higher tuition cost compared to the University of Arkansas. However, both universities offer various financial aid options, including scholarships and grants, to help offset the cost of attendance. Prospective students should carefully review the financial aid packages offered by each institution to determine the net cost.

  • How does the student body and campus culture differ between the two universities?

    The University of Tulsa typically has a smaller student body, fostering a closer-knit community and more personalized attention from faculty. The University of Arkansas has a larger student population, leading to a more diverse social environment and a wider range of student organizations and activities. Both universities have a strong emphasis on school spirit, particularly around athletic events.

  • What are the athletic programs like at the University of Tulsa and the University of Arkansas?

    The University of Arkansas is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a Power Five conference, and has a highly competitive athletic program, particularly in football, basketball, and baseball. The University of Tulsa competes in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), offering competitive Division I athletics, though with a slightly lower profile than the SEC. Both universities provide opportunities for student involvement in athletics, whether as participants or spectators.

  • How do the career services and job placement rates compare at the two universities?

    Both universities offer career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career planning. The University of Tulsa's career services often leverage its location in a city with a strong energy and aerospace industry presence, providing opportunities in those fields. The University of Arkansas's career services benefit from its strong business programs and connections to regional and national employers. Job placement rates are generally good at both institutions, with outcomes varying based on the specific field of study.

  • What are the housing options like at the University of Tulsa and the University of Arkansas?

    Both universities offer on-campus housing options, including residence halls and apartments. The University of Tulsa's housing options are generally located closer to academic buildings, contributing to a more compact campus experience. The University of Arkansas has a wider variety of housing options, including newer facilities and more off-campus housing choices due to its larger student population. Both universities provide resources to help students find suitable housing.

  • How does the research environment differ at the University of Tulsa and the University of Arkansas?

    Both universities are actively involved in research. The University of Tulsa has a strong research focus in areas like energy, cybersecurity, and health sciences, often supported by industry partnerships. The University of Arkansas has a broader research portfolio, with significant activity in areas such as engineering, agriculture, and business, often supported by federal and state grants. The scale of research activity is generally larger at the University of Arkansas due to its size and funding.

  • What are the admission requirements and selectivity levels of the University of Tulsa and the University of Arkansas?

    Both universities have selective admission processes. The University of Tulsa generally has a slightly higher selectivity rate compared to the University of Arkansas. Admission requirements typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and letters of recommendation. Prospective students should check the specific requirements for each university on their respective websites, as these can change.

  • Which university is a better fit for me: the University of Tulsa or the University of Arkansas?

    The best fit depends on your individual preferences and academic goals. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate campus environment with strong programs in engineering and energy-related fields, the University of Tulsa might be a good choice. If you prefer a larger university with a wider range of programs, a more diverse social environment, and a strong athletic program in the SEC, the University of Arkansas might be a better fit. Consider visiting both campuses, if possible, to get a feel for the environment and culture.

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