IU Northwest vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN 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 IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Oakland University 17:1.

IU Northwest vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than Oakland ($5,745 vs. $12,208).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 0.4% lower than at Indiana University Northwest ($10,932 vs. $10,972).
• Oakland University is 81.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $6,838 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Oakland than at Indiana University Northwest (about $377 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University than at Indiana University Northwest (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 56% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($12,988 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 80 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

IU Northwest vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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).

• Oakland University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $30 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Oakland University and IU Northwest graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Oakland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 33%)

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.