Oakland University
Oakland University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Oakland University at a Glance
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.
1957
69 years old
$171M
$171.4 million (August 2025)
16,108
12,841 undergrad · 3,267 grad
1,443 acres
Identity
Is Oakland University Worth It?
Oakland University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $9,120/year net price and $58,612 median earnings, graduates earn 6.4× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: Oakland University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Oakland University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #7 of 126 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #7 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Oakland University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in MI.
Best Programs at Oakland University
The highest-earning program at Oakland University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $75,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $17,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Oakland University earns $75,200, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $17,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $29,167 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,120/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $75,200 | $75,200 | $29,167 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $73,500 | $73,500 | $27,000 |
| Computer Engineering | $69,700 | $69,700 | $27,995 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,900 | $63,900 | $26,996 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,500 | $59,500 | $24,770 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,300 | $56,300 | $26,724 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $56,200 | $56,200 | $21,428 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,700 | $54,700 | $24,500 |
| Public Health | $47,000 | $47,000 | $28,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $43,900 | $43,900 | $26,944 |
| Marketing | $43,900 | $43,900 | $23,250 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,600 | $41,600 | $28,646 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,200 | $40,200 | $23,260 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,800 | $39,800 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,700 | $35,700 | $23,142 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $32,700 | $32,700 | $25,808 |
| History | $32,300 | $32,300 | $24,734 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $32,100 | $32,100 | $26,815 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,900 | $31,900 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,800 | $31,800 | $23,399 |
| Sociology | $31,800 | $31,800 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $31,000 | $31,000 | $27,250 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $30,700 | $30,700 | $25,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,600 | $30,600 | $29,137 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $28,800 | $28,800 | $26,553 |
| Journalism | $27,600 | $27,600 | $25,270 |
| Psychology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $24,713 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,100 | $25,100 | $27,562 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,899 |
| Biology, General | $24,700 | $24,700 | $26,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,500 | $24,500 | $25,191 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $20,200 | $20,200 | $25,250 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $17,100 | $17,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Rochester Hills, MI
- Student Body
- 12,351 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,120
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,612
- Median Student Debt
- $22,750