Rochester Hills, MI · Private University
Is Oakland University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,612
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,694
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$23,188
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$92,752
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.53x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
56.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,750
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,584
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Oakland University graduates earn $13,612 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Oakland University ranked by graduate earnings
42 graduates
109 graduates
192 graduates
201 graduates
61 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Oakland University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Oakland University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $92,554) and the lowest (Film/Video and Photographic Arts: $24,156) is $68,398/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $92,554 | 4.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $91,496 | 4.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,376 | 3.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $87,350 | 3.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $81,070 | 3.5x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $78,839 | 3.4x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $77,169 | 3.3x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $72,305 | 3.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $69,885 | 3.0x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $69,446 | 3.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,205 | 2.9x |
| Marketing | $63,669 | 2.8x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions(1yr data) | $62,452 | 2.7x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $60,552 | 2.6x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $60,527 | 2.6x |
| Public Health | $60,142 | 2.6x |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering(1yr data) | $57,337 | 2.5x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $56,029 | 2.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,970 | 2.2x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,705 | 2.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $47,284 | 2.0x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $47,030 | 2.0x |
| Social Work | $46,925 | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,064 | 1.9x |
| History | $44,674 | 1.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,138 | 1.9x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $42,782 | 1.9x |
| Psychology, General | $41,537 | 1.8x |
| Sociology | $41,299 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,787 | 1.8x |
| Biology, General | $40,707 | 1.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $40,683 | 1.8x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $40,299 | 1.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $39,504 | 1.7x |
| Journalism | $37,793 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,353 | 1.5x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $32,405 | 1.4x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $31,999 | 1.4x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,370 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic ArtsLowest | $24,156 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Oakland University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $58,612 10 years after starting, $13,612 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.