Oakland vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Oakland University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakland University 17:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Oakland vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland or SAU? 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 SAU ($12,208 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 4.4% lower than at Spring Arbor University ($10,932 vs. $11,440).
• Spring Arbor University is 122.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $18,752 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.7% higher at SAU than at Oakland University (about $10,826 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Oakland University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 83.8% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($23,877 vs. $12,988).

Oakland vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakland or SAU? 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 SAU and Oakland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is the same as at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakland - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Oakland vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland and SAU? 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $957 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.