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Oakland University is a public research institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Founded in 1957, it is the second largest university in the Detroit metropolitan area. The school is classified as an R2 doctoral university with high research activity.


Overview of Oakland University (OU)


Recognized as a student-centered, doctoral research institution, Oakland University has global perspective. It provides a distinct education experience with flexible class schedules and state-of-the-arts facilities, student services, classroom technologies, research labs, internships, and research opportunities with corporate partners. Students can benefit from the school’s partnerships with nearby hospitals, Fortune 500 companies, cities, government agencies, and other education institutions.

The total student population is 17,170. Of those, 13,771 are pursuing undergraduate degrees. The university also employs 658 full-time and 607 part-time faculty members, all of whom are responsible for instruction. This makes the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. There are also 383 instructional graduate assistants. Of these, 218 offer instructional support and 165 perform research. Approximately 33% of those enrolled are first-generation students. Additionally, the average GPA for incoming freshmen is 3.51. The average ACT score is 24.9 and the average SAT score is 1,104.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting Suburb: Large
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 19:1
Graduation Rate 57%
Year Founded 1957

Student Enrollment


Total Students19,013

Undergraduate
15,543
Graduate
3,470

Undergraduate Student

Male 6,683
6,683
Female 8,860
8,860

Graduate Student

Male 1,492
1,492
Female 1,978
1,978

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Oakland Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS12,443

Male 4,620
Female 7,823

ACCEPTANCE10,328

Male 3,927
Female 6,415

Acceptance Rate83%

Male 85%
Female 82%

Enrollment 2,685

Male 1,122
Female 1,563
Admissions
Application Fee NA
High School GPA Required
High School Rank NA
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Required
Recommendations NA
SAT/ACT Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Application Deadline July 15
Common Application Accepted Yes

OU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


The cost per credit hour for undergraduate students attending Oakland University differs depending on residency status and class standing. Rates are divided into lower-division and upper-division designations. Lower-division rates apply to freshmen and sophomores with fewer than 56 credits, as well as non-degree seeking students. Upper-division rates apply to juniors and seniors with 56 or more credits, students who are pursuing subsequent undergraduate degrees, and all students with post-bachelor admission status. In general, lower division courses cost $485 per credit hour and upper division courses cost $563 per credit hour. Non-residents pay more, however. Their lower-division rate is $796 per credit hour, while their upper-division rate is $853 per credit hour.

Some programs follow alternate tuition structures. Differential tuition rates apply to courses offered by the School of Business Administration, School of Engineering and Computer science, School of Health Sciences, and School of Nursing.

Graduate students pay tuition at either in-state or non-resident rates. At the graduate level, residents pay $834 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $1,027 per credit hour. In-state student enrolled in doctoral programs pay $839 per credit hour. The rate for non-resident doctoral students is the same at the doctoral level.

Oakland University claims no hidden fees, but does recommend that prospective student consider other non-billable expenses related to attending college. These include living off campus with or without parents, meals, textbooks, and transportation. The cost of books and supplies will vary depending on course load and major.

Oakland University makes affordable tuition a priority and even offers tuition-free opportunities for those who qualify. In order to help mitigate the cost of attending college, the university encourages all students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This must be completed each year in order to apply for financial aid assistance and to maintain eligibility for need-based institutional funding. More than half of enrolled students receive financial assistance totaling more than $175 million annually. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 94% of students entering postsecondary education for the first time at the school received some form of financial assistance. While the majority of aid awarded was in the form of grants and scholarships, 41% of students still required loans.

Average net price 2018-2019
Net Price $12,843
Average Total Aid $10,154
Students Receiving Financial Aid 94%
Room & Board $11,022

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $13,934
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $24,708
  • Books and Supplies - $798
  • Room & Board - $11,022
  • Other - $2,634

Academics


Oakland University cultivates the full potential of a diverse and inclusive community, impacting Michigan and the world through education, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution seeks to unlock the potential of its students and help them leave a lasting global impression through the transformative power of education.

The list of academic options at Oakland University is constantly growing. Currently, students can choose from more than 130 undergraduate and more than 135 graduate degree and certificate programs. Students can also participate in high-level research as early as their freshman year.

The institution’s schools and colleges include:

  • Arts and Sciences
  • Business
  • Administration
  • Education and Human Services
  • Engineering and Computer Science
  • Health Sciences
  • William Beaumont School of Medicine
  • Nursing

The university also offers online programs, providing convenient, flexible pathways to professional development and career advancement. Those interested can choose from more than 30 fully remote degrees and certificates, in addition to many more partially online programs that combine in-person and online courses. Notably, distance learners receive the same benefits as on-campus students. All remote options offer the same rigorous academic and real-world training as those offered on site. Many programs also pair online coursework with internships, work placements, supervised research, and immersive projects.

As of fall 2020, Oakland University had a first-year undergraduate retention rate of 73% for full-time students and 47% for part-time students. This data, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), indicates that most students enrolled at the university full-time were pleased enough with their academic and extracurricular experiences that they chose to return to the institution for a second year.

Graduation rates for Oakland University slightly lower. Of full-time, first-time students who began their studies in 2015, 56% graduated within 150% of normal time, which is generally six years. The transfer-out rate was 9%. In total, 31% of students included in the data collected were able to graduate within four years.

As a whole, Oakland University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Many of the programs also maintain specialized accreditation. Some of the most notable examples include the National Commission on Orthotic Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), American Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Student Population Total


Student Population 19,013

Undergraduate
15,543
Graduate
3,470
Evening Classes : Yes
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


Health Professions and Related Programs 852 Total Graduates / 25%
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 443 Graduates
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other 309 Graduates
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist 22 Graduates
Environmental Health 20 Graduates
All Business Majors 669 Total Graduates / 19%
Human Resources Development 149 Graduates
Accounting 98 Graduates
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 93 Graduates
Finance, General 86 Graduates
All Engineering Majors 354 Total Graduates / 10%
Mechanical Engineering 182 Graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 100 Graduates
Industrial Engineering 31 Graduates
Computer Engineering, General 26 Graduates
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 180 Total Graduates / 5%
Communication, General 144 Graduates
Journalism 23 Graduates
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication 13 Graduates
All Biological & Biomedical Majors 171 Total Graduates / 5%
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 133 Graduates
Biomedical Sciences, General 19 Graduates
Biochemistry 15 Graduates
Anatomy 2 Graduates
Biophysics 2 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 36%

Outcome & Salary


Oakland University continuously assesses the quantity and quality of the opportunities and services provided. It also reviews post-graduation outcomes of recent graduate each year in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Based on data collected from the 2020-2021 graduates, 84% were employed, pursuing continuing education, serving in the military, or pursuing other commitments. The average full-time starting salary was $58,305. Notably, 99% of those who were employed obtained jobs in the state of Michigan.

Top employers hiring Oakland University alumni include:

  • Amazon
  • Ascension
  • Beaumont Health System
  • Detroit Medical Center
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Henry Ford Health System
  • Oakland University
  • Rocket Companies
  • Trinity Health

Additionally, 12% of graduate were enrolled in continuing education. Some of the institutions that admitted Oakland University alumni include Wayne State University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and University of Detroit Mercy.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $52,200
College Grads Average Salary $69,414
College Grads Mid Career Salary $93,600
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $694,140
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,630,140
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $51,372
10 Year Projected ROI $642,768
20 Year Projected ROI $1,578,768
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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