IWU vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, 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 IWU based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is located in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1; Oakland University 17:1.

IWU vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 IWU ($12,208 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 0.6% lower than at Oakland University ($10,868 vs. $10,932).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 112% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $17,090 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.5% higher at IWU than at Oakland University (about $9,164 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Oakland University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 64.8% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($21,405 vs. $12,988).

IWU vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 60 points higher than at IWU (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Oakland (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

IWU vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $896 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($24,104 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($249 vs. $258).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.