Oakland vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakland University 17:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Oakland vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland or WMU? 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 WMU ($12,208 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 10.2% lower than at Western Michigan University ($10,932 vs. $12,174).
• Oakland University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $10 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at Oakland than at Western Michigan University (about $4,154 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University as at Western Michigan University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($12,988 vs. $11,048).

Oakland vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 20 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakland - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WMU (3.5).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Oakland vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland and WMU? 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.