Oakland University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families who need the lowest possible cost. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Oakland University is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan with approximately 12,351 undergraduate students enrolled. Oakland University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 88%. The average net price after financial aid is $9,120 per year. The graduation rate is 58%, and the typical graduate earns $48,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Oakland University is a public research university in Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1957 through a donation of Matilda Dodge Wilson and husband Alfred G. Wilson, it was initially known as Michigan State University-Oakland, operating under the Michigan State University Board of Trustees, before gaining institutional independence from the board in 1970.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $13,584/year average net price and $16,787 median debt at graduation, Oakland is genuinely affordable, and the public research university setting offers solid academic resources for a mid-sized campus. However, a 57% graduation rate and 75% freshman retention rate suggest that a meaningful share of students struggle to finish — worth asking hard questions about advising, support, and your own readiness before enrolling. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and self-motivated, but go in with a clear plan rather than assuming the path to graduation will take care of itself.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2023-24). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (12,351 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Oakland University Common Data Set (2023-24).
Contact & Location
Address
Oakland University
2200 North Squirrel Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48309-4401
Official Links
Other Schools in Michigan
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · Public
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · Public
Macomb Community College
Warren, MI · Public
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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