Hope College vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope College in Holland, MI with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope College is located in Holland, MI (Small City setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hope College 9:1; Oakland University 17:1.

Hope College vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope College or Oakland? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oakland University than Hope College ($12,208 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 15.6% lower than at Hope College ($10,932 vs. $12,950).
• Hope College is 175% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $26,708 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81% higher at Hope College than at Oakland University (about $18,782 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at Oakland University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 92.1% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($24,945 vs. $12,988).

Hope College vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hope College or Oakland? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Oakland and Hope College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 90 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 1100/1340; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

Hope College vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope College and Oakland? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Hope College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.