Oakland vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakland University 17:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Oakland vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland or WSU? 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 WSU ($12,208 vs. $14,416).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 23.3% lower than at Wayne State University ($10,932 vs. $14,252).
• Oakland University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $72 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.2% higher at WSU than at Oakland University (about $8,849 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Oakland University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($12,988 vs. $12,953).

Oakland vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakland - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WSU (3.42).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Oakland vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More Oakland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 38%)

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.